Packet, Founder Win Accolades From High Technology Council

Packet Engines and its founder, Bernard Daines, were honored Thursday evening by the Spokane Valley High Technology Council.

In a reception held at Telect’s corporate headquarters, Judi Williams, vice president and co-founder of Telect, and president of the Spokane Valley High Technology Council’s board, talked about the importance of Packet Engines success.

“Two years ago when Bernard moved his company to Spokane from the Silicon Valley, he had only a handful of workers,” Williams said. “Today, Packet Engines has more than 200 on its payroll and plans to add additional engineering and sales staff in the coming months. That growth … can be directly attributed to the vision, leadership and dedication of the company’s founder, Bernard Daines.”

Daines established Packet Engines in 1994 as a start-up venture specializing in gigabit ethernet solutions for the computer networking industry. Last month, Daines announced that French telecommunications giant Alcatel would acquire Packet Engines in a cash transaction valued at $315 million.

The company will remain in Spokane, and Daines will continue as its chief executive officer.

“We appreciate the local Spokane community and its ongoing outpouring of support,” Daines said Thursday. “This area has proven to be a great home for Packet Engines and the company is committed to continue growing its presence here. We anticipate substantial growth in all areas of the company, especially engineering and sales.”

He said the high-tech council has been valuable to Packet Engines’ success.

“When we decided to relocate our networking company to the Spokane Valley, we knew there would be challenges,” Daines said. “By having an organization such as this one in which high-technology companies work together, we can mutually support one another and help grow the industry in the region.”