Top 25 High Tech Leaders in Dallas: Ron Martin, The

RON Martin Executive vice president and chief operating officer Fujitsu Network Communications (FNC)

Like many Americans, Ron Martin isn't afraid to take a gamble. Convincing his Japanese higherups was another matter. The forwardthinking Martin prevailed, leading Fujitsu's 1989 introduction of the first commercial SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) multiplexers into North America, a move he calls "the single most significant event" in the history of FNC, now a $2 billion company and a leader in the fiber-optic transmissions equipment market.

"The SONET standard hadn't been stabilized, but we guaranteed customers that if it changed, we'd make those changes in their networks at no cost. It probably would have bankrupted us, frankly, if it had come about," admits Martin, a 30-year telecom industry veteran. "But we rolled the dice, and it paid off."

Still, the relatively conservative nature of FNC's overseas parents has helped the company weather the telecom industry's recent sluggishness.

As a charter member and tri-chair of the TBC (Technology Business Council), Martin has helped promote Richardson's growth, influence curriculum at UTD, and attract businesses to the area.

His biggest challenge? Keeping fewer and fewer customers happy. "With the convergence of service providers in our industry, we don't have a lot of flexibility," Martin says. "Coca-Cola has billions of customers, so if you get mad tomorrow and decide to drink PepsiCola, they're not even going to notice."

Copyright D Magazine Jul 01, 2001
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