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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantþ
Filed by a Party other than the Registranto
Check the appropriate box:
o
Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o


Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-
6(e)14a-6(e)(2))
þ
ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant tounder §240.14a-12


Finisar Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ
Finisar Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý


No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
 (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
 (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
 (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
 (5) Total fee paid:

o

 
o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 
(1)

(1)


Amount Previously Paid:
 
 (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
 (3) Filing Party:
 
 (4) Date Filed:

         


Table of Contents

LOGO

FINISAR LOGO

1389 Moffett Park Drive

Sunnyvale, California 94089
September 17, 2010

October 18, 2011

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend this year’syear's annual meeting of stockholders of Finisar Corporation on Thursday, OctoberMonday, November 28, 20102011, at 10:00 a.m., local time. The meeting will be held at the offices of DLA Piper LLP (US), located at 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, California.

California 94303.

We are pleased to again take advantage of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that allows companies to furnish proxy materials to stockholders primarily over the Internet. We used this delivery process last year and found that it expedited stockholders’stockholders' receipt of proxy materials and lowered the costs and reduced the environmental impact of distributing proxy materials for our annual meeting. On September 17, 2010,October 18, 2011, we mailed to our stockholders (other than those who previously requested electronic or paper delivery) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”"Notice") containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials, including our Proxy Statement and Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.2011, over the Internet. The Notice also provides instructions on how to vote online or by telephone and includes instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail. If you receivedreceive your annual meeting materials by mail, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Annual Report to Stockholderson Form 10-K and proxy card werewill be enclosed.

The matters to be acted upon are described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. Following the formal business of the meeting, we will report on our company’scompany's operations and respond to questions from stockholders.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, your vote is very important and we encourage you to vote promptly and submit yourpromptly. You may vote by proxy over the Internet or by Internet, telephone, or, mail, as described inif you received paper copies of the proxy materials.materials by mail, you can also vote by mail by following the instructions on the proxy card. If you attend the meeting you will, of course, have the right to revoke the proxy and vote your shares in person. If you hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from themyour brokerage firm, bank or other nominee to vote your shares. For the election of directors, if you do not provide voting instructions via the Internet, by telephone, or by returning a proxy card or providing instructions to your broker, your shares will not be voted.

We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.

Very truly yours,
-s- Jerry S. Rawls
Very truly yours,



GRAPHIC

JERRY S. RAWLS
Jerry S. Rawls
Chairman of the Board
-s- Eitan Gertel



GRAPHICEitan Gertel

EITAN GERTEL
Chief Executive Officer

Table of Contents

LOGO


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2011

        The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Finisar Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held on Monday, November 28, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of DLA Piper LLP (US), 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, California 94303, for the following purposes:

    1.
    To elect two Class III directors to hold office for a three-year term and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

    2.
    To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012.

    3.
    To hold an advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (as defined in the proxy statement).

    4.
    To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory stockholder votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

    5.
    To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

        Stockholders of record at the close of business on October 4, 2011 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose relating to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal offices located at 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy as promptly as possible in order to assure the presence of a quorum. You may vote by telephone, Internet or mail. If you vote by telephone or Internet, you do not have to mail in your proxy card. Voting in advance will not prevent you from voting in person at the meeting.


FINISAR LOGO
GRAPHICNOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Annual Meeting of stockholders of Finisar Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of DLA Piper LLP (US), 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, California 94303, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two Class II directors to hold office for a three-year term and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 7, 2010 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any adjournment or postponement. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose relating to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal offices located at 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy as promptly as possible in order to assure the presence of a quorum. Because of a change in the rules governing member firms of the New York Stock Exchange, unlike previous annual meetings, your broker will NOT be able to vote your shares with respect to the election of directors if you have not given your broker specific instructions to do so. You may vote by telephone, Internet or mail. If you vote by telephone or Internet, you do not have to mail in your proxy card. Voting in advance will not prevent you from voting in person at the meeting.
-s- CHRISTOPHER E. BROWN
ChristopherCHRISTOPHER E. BrownBROWN

Secretary

Sunnyvale, California
October 18, 2011


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sunnyvale, California
September 17, 2010


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SOLICITATION AND VOTING1
PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS2
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE6
Independence of Directors6
Board of Directors Leadership Structure6
Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight6
Executive Sessions7
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees7
Director Nominations8
Communications by Stockholders with Directors9
Director Attendance at Annual Meetings9
Committee Charters and Other Corporate Governance Materials9
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation9
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION10
PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS12
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE14
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SHARE OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS17
Compensation Discussion and Analysis17
Report of the Compensation Committee23
Summary Compensation Information24
Grants of Plan-Based Awards25
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End26
Option Exercises and Stock Vested28
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control29
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS32
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE32
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION33
Material Features of the 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan33
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING33
OTHER MATTERS34


i


FINISAR LOGO
1389 Moffett Park Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSPage
The board of directors of Finisar Corporation is soliciting your proxy for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement and related materials are first being made available to stockholders of the Company on or about September 17, 2010. References in this proxy statement to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and “Finisar” are to Finisar Corporation, and references to the “annual meeting” are to the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. When we refer to the Company’s fiscal year, we mean the annual period ending on April 30. This proxy statement covers our fiscal 2010, which was from May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010 (“fiscal 2010”).

SOLICITATION AND VOTING

Record Date.  Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on September 7, 2010 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of the record date, 77,035,529 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.
Internet Availability of Annual Meeting Materials.  We are pleased to again take advantage of the rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allowing companies to furnish proxy materials over the Internet to their stockholders rather than mailing paper copies of those materials to each stockholder. On September 17, 2010, we mailed to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials directing stockholders to a web site where they can access our proxy statement for the annual meeting and our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010 and view instructions on how to vote via the Internet or by phone. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
Quorum.  A majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date must be represented at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. Your shares will be counted toward the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker or bank) or if you vote in person at the meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” (shares held by a broker or nominee that does not have the authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on a particular matter) will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Vote Required to Adopt Proposals.  Each share of our common stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote on each of the two director nominees and one vote on each other matter. For the election of directors, the two director nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected as Class II directors. With respect to all other proposals, we must receive a “FOR” vote from the majority of shares present and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy.
Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes.  Shares not present at the meeting and shares voted “Abstain” will have no effect on the election of directors. For each of the other proposals, abstentions will have the same effect as negative votes. If you are a beneficial owner and hold your shares in “street name,” it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors. In the past, if you held your shares in “street name” and you did not indicate how you wanted your shares voted in the election of directors, your bank or broker was allowed to vote these shares on your behalf in the election of directors as they felt appropriate. Under a recent rule change, banks or brokers that hold your shares will not be authorized to vote your shares in the election of directors on a discretionary basis if you do not provide specific voting instructions. Accordingly, we encourage you to vote promptly, even if you plan to attend the annual meeting. Your bank or broker will, however, continue to have


discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011. Proxies and ballots will be received and tabulated by the inspector of elections for the annual meeting.
Voting Instructions.  If you complete and submit your proxy card or voting instructions, the persons named as proxies will follow your instructions. If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy card or voting instructions but do not direct how to vote on each item, the persons named as proxies will vote as the board recommends on each proposal.
Depending on how you hold your shares, you may vote in one of the following ways:
Stockholders of Record:  You may vote by proxy or over the Internet or by telephone. Please follow the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested printed copies of the proxy materials, on the proxy card you received, then sign and return it in the prepaid envelope. You may also vote in person at the annual meeting.
Beneficial Stockholders:  Your bank, broker or other holder of record will enclose a voting instruction card for you to use to instruct them on how to vote your shares. Check the instructions provided by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which options are available to you. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the annual meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your bank, broker or other agent.
Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on October 27, 2010. Submitting your proxy by telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote in person should you decide to attend the annual meeting.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close by returning a later-dated proxy card, by voting again by Internet or telephone as more fully detailed in your Notice or proxy card, or by delivering written instructions to the Corporate Secretary before the annual meeting. Attendance at the annual meeting will not in and of itself cause your previously voted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request or vote again at the annual meeting. If your shares are held by a bank, broker or other agent, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your bank, broker or other agent, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other agent giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the annual meeting and voting in person.
Solicitation of Proxies.  We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail, we will request banks, brokers and other intermediaries holding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others to obtain proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, by electronic communications and personal solicitation by our directors, officers and employees. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or employees for such solicitation.
Voting Results
We will announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting. We will report final results in aForm 8-K report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
1

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Certificate


3

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


6

Independence of Incorporation provides that the authorized numberDirectors


6

Board of membersDirectors Leadership Structure

6

Board of the board of directors shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors and that the terms of office of the members of the board of directors will be divided into three classes. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors from one of the three classes are elected for a term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting. The authorized number of directors is currently set at nine, consisting of three classes of three members each.


2


The terms of the Class II directors will expire on the date of the upcoming annual meeting. The current Class II members of the board of directors are Christopher J. Crespi, David C. Fries and Robert N. Stephens. Messrs. Crespi and Fries have each advised the Nominating and Governance Committee and the board that they will be retiring from service on the board as of the date of the annual meeting and will not stand for re-election at the annual meeting. The board has determined to reduce the size of the board from nine to seven members, effective immediately upon the election of Class II directors at the annual meeting. In connection with the reductionDirectors' Role in the size of the board, the board has also determined to reconfigure the composition of the classes of the board in order to make the size of the three classes as close to equal as possible. In order to accomplish the reconfiguration of the board, the Nominating and Governance Committee recommended to the board that Jerry S. Rawls, currently a Class III director whose term expires at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, stand for re-election as a Class II director at the annual meeting. Mr. Rawls has tendered his resignation as a Class III director to be effective immediately upon the election of Class II directors at the annual meeting.
Accordingly, two persons are to be elected to serve as Class II directors at the meeting. Management’s nominees for election by the stockholders to those two positions are Mr. Rawls and Mr. Stephens, who is a continuing Class II member of the board of directors. If elected, each nominee will serve as a director until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2013 and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. If any of the nominees declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, or if a vacancy occurs before the election (although we know of no reason to anticipate that this will occur), the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominees as we may designate. The proxies cannot vote for more than two persons. If a quorum is present and voting, the two nominees for Class II director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as Class II directors.
The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees named above.
The following table sets forth information regarding our current directors, including the nominees for Class II directors to be elected at the annual meeting, as of August 15, 2010.
           
Name
 
Position with Finisar
 
Age
 
Director Since
 
Michael C. Child Director  55   2010 
Christopher J. Crespi Director  47   2008 
Roger C. Ferguson Director  67   1999 
David C. Fries Director  65   2005 
Eitan Gertel Chief Executive Officer and Director  48   2008 
Thomas E. Pardun Director  66   2009 
Jerry S. Rawls Chairman of the Board  66   1989 
Robert N. Stephens Director  64   2005 
Dominique Trempont Director  56   2005 
Risk Oversight

6

Nominees for Election for a Three Year Term Expiring at the 2013 Annual Meeting of StockholdersExecutive Sessions

Jerry S. Rawlshas served as a member of our board of directors since March 1989 and as our Chairman

7

Meetings of the Board since January 2006. Mr. Rawls served as our Chief Executive Officer from August 1999 until the completionof Directors and Committees

7

Director Nominations

8

Communications by Stockholders with Directors

9

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

10

Committee Charters and Other Corporate Governance Materials

10

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

10

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION


11

PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


13

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE


15

PROPOSAL NO. 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


16

PROPOSAL NO. 4 ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY STOCKHOLDER VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


17

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS


18

Compensation Discussion and Analysis


18

Report of the Optium mergerCompensation Committee

25

Summary Compensation Information

26

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

27

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

28

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

30

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in August 2008. Mr. Rawls also served as our President from April 2003 until the completionControl

30

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


34

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SHARE OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT


35

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE


37

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION


37

Material Features of the Optium merger and previously held that title from April 1989 to September 2002. From September 1968 to February 1989, Mr. Rawls was employed by Raychem Corporation, a materials science and engineering company, where he held various management positions including Division General Manager of the Aerospace Products Division and Interconnection Systems Division. Mr. Rawls holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from Purdue University. Mr. Rawls’ tenure with Finisar since 1989, including 19 years as President2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan


38

and/orSTOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING Chief Executive Officer, provides him personal knowledge of the Company’s history since shortly after its founding. This experience, together with his management and industry experience, enables him to provide the board with a unique perspective on the Company’s business and operations and strategic issues.


39

OTHER MATTERS


39

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Table of Contents

LOGO

1389 Moffett Park Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089

PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

        The board of directors of Finisar Corporation is soliciting your proxy for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Monday, November 28, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement and related materials are first being made available to stockholders of the Company on or about October 18, 2011. References in this proxy statement to the "Company," "we," "our," "us" and "Finisar" are to Finisar Corporation, and references to the "annual meeting" are to the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. When we refer to the Company's fiscal year, we mean the annual period ending on April 30. This proxy statement covers our 2011 fiscal year, which was from May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011 ("fiscal 2011").


SOLICITATION AND VOTING

        Record Date.    Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on October 4, 2011 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of the record date, 90,793,525 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.

        Internet Availability of Annual Meeting Materials.    We are pleased to again take advantage of the rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") allowing companies to furnish proxy materials over the Internet to their stockholders rather than mailing paper copies of those materials to each stockholder. On October 18, 2011, we mailed to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials directing stockholders to a web site where they can access our proxy statement for the annual meeting and our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 and view instructions on how to vote via the Internet or by phone. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

        Quorum.    A majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date must be represented at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. Your shares will be counted toward the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker or bank) or if you vote in person at the meeting. Abstentions and "broker non-votes" (shares held by a broker or nominee that does not have the authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on a particular matter) will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

        Vote Required to Adopt Proposals.    Each share of our common stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote on each of the two director nominees and one vote on each other matter. For the election of directors, the two director nominees receiving the highest number of "FOR" votes will be elected as Class III directors. With respect to each of the other proposals, approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy.

        Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes.    Shares not present at the meeting and shares voted "Abstain" will have no effect on the election of directors. With respect to Proposal No. 4, the advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote against all of the time periods presented. For each of the other proposals, abstentions will have the same effect as negative votes. If you are a beneficial owner and


Table of Contents

hold your shares in "street name," it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors and the executive compensation proposals. Under the rules governing banks and brokers who are voting with respect to shares held in street name, such banks and brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. Routine matters include the ratification of auditors. Non-routine matters include the election of directors and the executive compensation advisory proposals. Banks and brokers may not vote on these proposals if you do not provide specific voting instructions. Accordingly, we encourage you to vote promptly, even if you plan to attend the annual meeting. Proxies and ballots will be received and tabulated by the inspector of election for the annual meeting.

        Voting Instructions.    If you complete and submit your proxy card or voting instructions, the persons named as proxies will follow your instructions. If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy card or voting instructions but do not direct how to vote on each item, the persons named as proxies will vote as the board recommends on each proposal.

        Depending on how you hold your shares, you may vote in one of the following ways:

    Stockholders of Record:    You may vote by proxy or over the Internet or by telephone. Please follow the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested printed copies of the proxy materials, on the proxy card you received, then sign and return it in the prepaid envelope. You may also vote in person at the annual meeting.

    Beneficial Stockholders:    Your bank, broker or other holder of record will provide you with a voting instruction card for you to use to instruct them on how to vote your shares. Check the instructions provided by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which options are available to you. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the annual meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your bank, broker or other agent.

        Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 25, 2011. Submitting your proxy by telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote in person should you decide to attend the annual meeting.

        If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close by returning a later-dated proxy card, by voting again by Internet or telephone as more fully detailed in your Notice or proxy card, or by delivering written instructions to the Corporate Secretary before the annual meeting. Attendance at the annual meeting will not in and of itself cause your previously voted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request or vote again at the annual meeting. If your shares are held by a bank, broker or other agent, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your bank, broker or other agent, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other agent giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the annual meeting and voting in person.

        Solicitation of Proxies.    We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail, we will request banks, brokers and other intermediaries holding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others to obtain proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, by electronic communications and personal solicitation by our directors, officers and employees. No additional compensation will be paid to our directors, officers or employees for such solicitation.

        Voting Results.    We will announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting. We will report final results in a Form 8-K report filed with the SEC.


Table of Contents


PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the authorized number of members of the board of directors shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors and that the terms of office of the members of the board of directors will be divided into three classes. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors from one of the three classes are elected for a term of three years to succeed those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting. The authorized number of directors is currently set at seven, consisting of two classes of two members each and one class of three members.

        The terms of the Class III directors will expire on the date of the upcoming annual meeting. The current Class III members of the board of directors are Eitan Gertel and Dominique Trempont. Mr. Trempont has advised the Nominating and Governance Committee and the board that he will be retiring from service on the board as of the date of the annual meeting and will not stand for re-election at the annual meeting. The Nominating and Governance Committee is conducting a search to identify candidates for one or more additional positions on the board, but it has not identified a candidate to nominate for election at the annual meeting to fill Mr. Trempont's seat. Accordingly, the board has determined to reduce the size of the board from seven to six members, effective immediately upon the election of Class III directors at the annual meeting. In connection with the reduction in the size of the board, the board has also determined to reconfigure the composition of the classes of the board in order to make the size of the three classes equal. In order to accomplish the reconfiguration of the board, the Nominating and Governance Committee recommended to the board that Thomas E. Pardun, currently a Class I director whose term expires at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, stand for re-election as a Class III director at the annual meeting. Mr. Pardun has tendered his resignation as a Class I director to be effective immediately upon the election of Class III directors at the annual meeting.

        Accordingly, two persons are to be elected to serve as Class III directors at the meeting. Management's nominees for election by the stockholders to those two positions are Mr. Pardun and Mr. Gertel, who currently serves as a Class III member of the board. If elected, each nominee will serve as a director until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2014 and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. If any of the nominees declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, or if a vacancy occurs before the election (although we know of no reason to anticipate that this will occur), the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominees as we may designate. The proxies cannot vote for more than two persons. If a quorum is present and voting, the two nominees for Class III director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as Class III directors.

The board of directors recommends a vote "FOR" the nominees named above.

        The following table sets forth information regarding our current directors, including the nominees for Class III directors to be elected at the annual meeting, as of August 15, 2011.


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Robert N. Stephenshas served as a member of our board of directors since August 2005 and as our Lead Director since March 2010. Mr. Stephens served as the Chief Executive Officer since April 1999 and President since October 1998 of Adaptec, Inc., a storage solutions provider, until his retirement in May 2005. Mr. Stephens joined Adaptec in November 1995 as Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Adaptec, Mr. Stephens was the founder and chief executive officer of Power I/O, a company that developed serial interface solutions and silicon expertise for high-speed data networking, that was acquired by Adaptec in 1995. Prior to founding Power I/O, Mr. Stephens was President and CEO of Emulex Corporation, which designs, develops and supplies Fibre Channel host bus adapters. Before joining Emulex, Mr. Stephens was Senior Vice President, General Manger, and founder of the Microcomputer Products Group at Western Digital Corporation. He began his career at IBM, where he served over 15 years in a variety of management positions. Mr. Stephens holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology and an M.S. in Industrial Psychology from San Jose State University. Mr. Stephens brings to the board executive and industry experience in a number of strategic and operational areas through his service as Chief Executive Officer of Adaptec, Power I/O and Emulex and in executive roles at Western Digital.
Directors Continuing in Office until the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Name
 Position with Finisar Age Director Since 

Michael C. Child

 Director  56  2010 

Roger C. Ferguson

 Director  68  1999 

Eitan Gertel

 Chief Executive Officer and Director  49  2008 

Thomas E. Pardun

 Director  67  2009 

Jerry S. Rawls

 Chairman of the Board  67  1989 

Robert N. Stephens

 Director  66  2005 

Dominique Trempont

 Director  57  2005 

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Nominees for Election for a Three Year Term Expiring at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Eitan Gertelhas served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a director since the completion of the Optium Corporation merger in August 2008. Mr. Gertel served as Optium’sOptium's President and as a director from March 2001 and as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Optium from February 2004 through the completion of the merger. Mr. Gertel served as President and General Manager of the former transmission systems division of JDS Uniphase Corporation from 1995 to 2001. JDSU is a provider of broadband test and management solutions and optical products. Mr. Gertel holds a B.S.E.E. from Drexel University. As our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gertel brings to the board significant senior leadership, industry and technical experience. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gertel is in a position to provide the board with insight and information related to the Company’sCompany's business and operations and to participate in the ongoing review of strategic issues.

Dominique Tremponthas served as a member of our board of directors since August 2005. Mr. Trempont is also a member of the board of directors of Energy Recovery, Inc., a manufacturer of efficient energy recovery devices utilized in the water desalination industry, and chairs its Audit Committee and its Nominating and Governance Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of Real Networks, Inc., which provides products and services to enable consumers to save, store and access digital media on many different devices. Mr. Trempont served as a director of 3Com Corporation from 2006 until April 2010 when it was acquired by Hewlett-Packard Company. Mr. Trempont was CEO in residence at Battery Ventures from August 2003 until June 2004. Prior to joining Battery Ventures, Mr. Trempont was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kanisa, Inc., a software company focused on enterprise self-service applications, from November 1999 to November 2002. Mr. Trempont was President and Chief Executive Officer of Gemplus Corporation, a smart card company, from May 1997 to June 1999. Prior to Gemplus, Mr. Trempont served as Chief Financial Officer and head of Operations at NeXT Software. Mr. Trempont began his career at Raychem Corporation. Mr. Trempont received an undergraduate degree in Economics from College Saint Louis (Belgium), a B.A. in Business Administration and Computer Sciences from the University of Louvain (Belgium), with high honors, and a Master in Business Administration from INSEAD (France/Singapore). Mr. Trempont brings to the board broad executive and financial experience, including expertise in accounting and financial reporting, through his service as Chief Executive Officer of Kanisa and Gemplus, as Chief Financial Officer of NeXT, his service on the boards of other publicly-held technology companies and his service on the audit committees of Energy Recovery and 3Com Corporation.
Directors Continuing in Office until the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Michael C. Childhas served as a member of our board of directors since June 2010. Mr. Child has been employed by TA Associates, Inc., a private equity firm, since 1982 where he currently serves as a Managing Director. Mr. Child previously served as a director of Finisar from November 1998 until October 2005. Mr. Child also serves on the board of directors of IPG Photonics, which designs and manufactures high performance fiber lasers and amplifiers, and served on the board of directors of Eagle Test Systems, a manufacturer of high performance automated test equipment for the semiconductor industry, from 2003 until November 2008 when it was acquired by Teradyne, Inc. Mr. Child holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at


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Davis and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Child has more than 25 years’ experience investing in and acquiring technology and technology-related companies and has served on the boards of directors of numerous public and private companies, including companies in the fiber optics and semiconductor industries. This broad financial and industry experience enables Mr. Child to make a valuable contribution to the board. He also brings significant knowledge regarding the Company and its operations from his previous years of service on our board.
Roger C. Fergusonhas served as a member of our board of directors since August 1999. From June 1999 to December 2001, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Executive Officer of Semio Corp., an early stage software company. Mr. Ferguson served as a principal in VenCraft, LLC, a venture capital partnership, from July 1997 to August 2002. From August 1993 to July 1997, Mr. Ferguson was Chief Executive Officer of DataTools, Inc., a database software company. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Operating Officer of Network General Inc., a network analysis company. Mr. Ferguson holds a B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth. Mr. Ferguson brings senior leadership experience and strategic and financial expertise to the board from his prior work as a senior executive of a public company and several private companies and as chief financial officer of a public company. Mr. Ferguson has extensive experience in both the hardware and software segments of the computer and telecommunications industries.
Thomas E. Pardunhas served as a member of our board of directors since December 2009. Mr. Pardun is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Western Digital Corporation, a manufacturer of hard-disk drives for the personal computer and home entertainment markets. Mr. Pardun has served in this capacity from January 2000 to January 2002 and again since April 2007. Mr. Pardun was President of MediaOne International, Asia-Pacific (previously U.S. West International, Asia-Pacific, a subsidiary of U.S. West, Inc.), an owner/operator of international properties in cable television, telephone services and wireless communications companies, from May 1996 until his retirement in July 2000. Prior to 1996, Mr. Pardun served as President and CEO of U.S. West Multimedia Communications, a communications company. Before joining U.S. West, Mr. Pardun was President of the Central Group for Sprint, as well as President of Sprint’sSprint's West Division, and Senior Vice President of Business Development for United Telecom, a predecessor company to Sprint. Mr. Pardun also held a variety of management positions during a19-year tenure with IBM, concluding as Director of product-line evaluation. He is also a director of CalAmp Corporation, Calix Corporation and MaxLinear, Inc., and served as a director of Occam Networks, Inc. and MaxLinear, Inc.from September 2004 until February 2011 when it was acquired by Calix Corporation. Mr. Pardun holds a B.B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Iowa. Mr. Pardun brings to the board extensive management and operations experience in the computer and telecommunications industries, including marketing and product development expertise, as well as his service in senior management positions.


Retiring Directors

Christopher J. Crespihas served as a member Continuing in Office until the 2012 Annual Meeting of our board of directors since the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008. Mr. Crespi served as a director of Optium from November 2005 through the completion of the merger. Since July 2010, Mr. Crespi has been a research analyst for Auriga USA, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Auriga Securities S.V., an investment firm. Mr. Crespi served as a Managing Director of ICAP LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ICAP plc, an interdealer broker headquartered in London, from December 2009 until July 2010. Since May 2004, Mr. Crespi has served as president of Pacific Realm, LLC, a small investment fund which invests in private growth companies and equity funds, which he co-founded. Mr. Crespi worked as managing director of Banc of America Securities LLC from November 1999 until his retirement in January 2004. Mr. Crespi served as a director of Sirenza Microdevices, Inc., a supplier of radio frequency components for commercial communications, consumer and aerospace, defense and homeland security markets, from January 2006 until November 2007 when it was acquired by RF Micro Devices, Inc. Mr. Crespi holds a B.S.E.E. from the University of California at Davis and an M.B.A. from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Crespi’s broad experience in the financial and investment industries, and as a director of public companies, enables him to provide financing and industry expertise as well as outside director experience to the board.
Stockholders

DavidMichael C. FriesChildhas served as a member of our board of directors since June 2010 and previously served on our board from November 1998 until October 2005. Dr. FriesMr. Child has been employed by VantagePoint Venture Partners,TA Associates, Inc., a venture capital investmentprivate equity firm, since August 20011982 where he currently serves as a Managing Director. Prior to joining VantagePoint, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Productivity Solutions, Inc., a Florida-based developer of automated checkout technologies for food and discount retailers, from 1995 to


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1999. For seven years prior to that, he was a general partner of Canaan Partners, a venture capital firm. Dr. Fries served 17 years in numerous executive roles in engineering, manufacturing, senior management and finance at General Electric Company, including directing GE Venture Capital’s California operation, which later became Canaan Partners. Dr. FriesSenior Advisor. Mr. Child served as a directorManaging Director of Aviza Technology, Inc.,TA Associates from 1987 through 2010. Mr. Child also serves on the board of directors of IPG Photonics, which designs and manufactures high performance fiber lasers and amplifiers, and served on the board of directors of Eagle Test Systems, a suppliermanufacturer of advanced semiconductorhigh performance automated test equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor industry, from 2003 until November 2007. Dr. Fries2008 when it was acquired by Teradyne, Inc. Mr. Child holds a B.S. in ChemistryElectrical Engineering from Florida Atlanticthe University of California at Davis and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Child has more than 25 years' experience investing in and acquiring technology and technology-related companies and has served on the boards of directors of numerous public and private companies, including companies in the fiber optics and semiconductor industries. This broad financial and industry experience enables Mr. Child to make a valuable contribution to the board. He also brings significant knowledge regarding the Company and its operations from his previous years of service on our board.

Roger C. Ferguson has served as a member of our board of directors since August 1999. From June 1999 to December 2001, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Executive Officer of Semio Corp., an early stage software company. Mr. Ferguson served as a principal in VenCraft, LLC, a venture capital partnership,


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from July 1997 to August 2002. From August 1993 to July 1997, Mr. Ferguson was Chief Executive Officer of DataTools, Inc., a database software company. From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Ferguson served as Chief Operating Officer of Network General Inc., a network analysis company. Mr. Ferguson holds a B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth. Mr. Ferguson brings senior leadership experience and strategic and financial expertise to the board from his prior work as a senior executive of a public company and several private companies and as chief financial officer of a public company. Mr. Ferguson has extensive experience in both the hardware and software segments of the computer and telecommunications industries.


Directors Continuing in Office until the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Jerry S. Rawls has served as a member of our board of directors since March 1989 and as our Chairman of the Board since January 2006. Mr. Rawls served as our Chief Executive Officer from August 1999 until the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008. Mr. Rawls also served as our President from April 2003 until the completion of the Optium merger and previously held that title from April 1989 to September 2002. From September 1968 to February 1989, Mr. Rawls was employed by Raychem Corporation, a materials science and engineering company, where he held various management positions including Division General Manager of the Aerospace Products Division and Interconnection Systems Division. Mr. Rawls holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and an M.S. in Industrial Administration from Purdue University. Mr. Rawls' tenure with Finisar since 1989, including 19 years as President and/or Chief Executive Officer, provides him personal knowledge of the Company's history since shortly after its founding. This experience, together with his management and industry experience, enables him to provide the board with a Ph.D.unique perspective on the Company's business and operations and strategic issues.

Robert N. Stephens has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2005 and as our Lead Director since March 2010. Mr. Stephens served as the Chief Executive Officer since April 1999 and President since October 1998 of Adaptec, Inc., a storage solutions provider, until his retirement in Physical ChemistryMay 2005. Mr. Stephens joined Adaptec in November 1995 as Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Adaptec, Mr. Stephens was the founder and chief executive officer of Power I/O, a company that developed serial interface solutions and silicon expertise for high-speed data networking, that was acquired by Adaptec in 1995. Prior to founding Power I/O, Mr. Stephens was President and CEO of Emulex Corporation, which designs, develops and supplies Fibre Channel host bus adapters. Before joining Emulex, Mr. Stephens was Senior Vice President, General Manager, and founder of the Microcomputer Products Group at Western Digital Corporation. He began his career at IBM, where he served over 15 years in a variety of management positions. Mr. Stephens holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology and an M.S. in Industrial Psychology from Case Western ReserveSan Jose State University. Dr. FriesMr. Stephens brings to the board extensive managementexecutive and financeindustry experience in several industrya number of strategic and operational areas through his service as Chief Executive Officer of Adaptec, Power I/O and Emulex and in executive roles at Western Digital.


Retiring Director

Dominique Trempont has served as a member of our board of directors since August 2005. Mr. Trempont is also a member of the board of directors of Energy Recovery, Inc., a manufacturer of efficient energy recovery devices utilized in the water desalination industry, RealNetworks, Inc., which provides products and services to enable consumers to save, store and access digital media on many different devices, the Daily Mail and General Trust, plc, a producer of content, information analytics and events for business and consumers, and on24, Inc., a leader in webcast and virtual events. Mr. Trempont served as a director of 3Com Corporation from 2006 until April 2010 when it was acquired by Hewlett-Packard Company. Mr. Trempont was CEO in residence at Battery Ventures from August 2003 until June 2004. Prior to joining Battery Ventures, Mr. Trempont was Chairman, President


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and Chief Executive Officer of Kanisa, Inc., a software company focused on enterprise self-service applications, from November 1999 to November 2002. Mr. Trempont was President and Chief Executive Officer of Gemplus Corporation, a smart card company, from May 1997 to June 1999. Prior to his prioremployment at Gemplus, Mr. Trempont served as Chief Financial Officer and head of Operations at NeXT Software. Mr. Trempont began his career at Raychem Corporation. Mr. Trempont received an undergraduate degree in Economics from College Saint Louis (Belgium), a B.A., with high honors, in Business Administration and Software Engineering from the University of Louvain (Belgium), and a Master in Business Administration from INSEAD (France/Singapore). Mr. Trempont brings to the board broad executive and financial experience, including expertise in accounting and financial reporting, through his service as an executiveChief Executive Officer of severalKanisa and Gemplus, as Chief Financial Officer of NeXT, his service on the boards of other publicly-held technology companies and a venture capital investor.

his service on the audit committees of Energy Recovery, RealNetworks, Inc. and 3Com Corporation.

There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Independence of Directors

The board of directors has determined that, other than Jerry S. Rawls, our Chairman of the Board, and Eitan Gertel, our Chief Executive Officer, each of the current members of the board is an “independent director”"independent director" for purposes of the Nasdaq Listing Rules andRule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as the term applies to membership on the board of directors and the various committees of the board of directors.


Board of Directors Leadership Structure

Jerry S. Rawls serves as Chairman of our board of directors, Eitan Gertel serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Messrs. Rawls and Gertel constitute our co-principal executive officers. The board believes that it is appropriate for Mr. Rawls to serve as Chairman given his long tenure with the Company and familiarity with our business strategy and our industry. The board also believes that having an executive officer serve as Chairman facilitates the flow of information between the board and management, thereby improving the board’sboard's ability to focus on key policy and operational issues and the long-term interests of our stockholders. In August 2008, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the board established the position of lead director.Lead Director. Mr. Stephens currently serves in that position. The lead directorLead Director serves as the principal liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman. In that capacity, the lead directorLead Director presides over executive sessions of the independent directors, chairs board meetings in the Chairman’sChairman's absence, and collaborates with the Chairman on agendas, schedules and materials for board meetings. The board believes that this leadership structure provides the appropriate balance of management and non-management oversight.


Board of Directors’Directors' Role in Risk Oversight

We face a number of risks, including general economic risks, operational risks, financial risks, competitive risks and reputational risks. Management is responsible for theday-to-day management of the risks that we face, while the board of directors, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management.


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While the full board of directors is charged with ultimate oversight responsibility for risk management, committees of the board also have responsibilities with respect to various aspects of our risk oversight. In particular, the Audit Committee plays a significant role in monitoring and assessing our financial and operational risks. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management areas of financial risk exposure and steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposure. The Audit Committee also is responsible for establishing and administering our code of ethics and reviewing and approving transactions between Finisar and any related parties. The Compensation Committee monitors and assesses risks associated with our compensation policies, and oversees the development of incentives that encourage a level of risk-taking consistent with our overall strategy. The Nominating and Governance Committee has oversight responsibility for corporate governance risks, including risks associated with director independence.


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Our executive management meets regularly to discuss our strategy and the risks that we face. Senior officers attend board meetings where they are available to address questions or concerns raised by the board on risk management-related matters. We have recentlyIn 2010, we instituted a comprehensive enterprise risk management (“ERM”("ERM") program to assist management in identifying, assessing, monitoring and managing a broad range of risks. The ERM process is overseen by our Chief Financial Officer who periodically reports to the board on risk assessment and management’smanagement's plans to manage or mitigate key risks. Our Internal Audit Department also plays an important role in risk management. Our DirectorVice President of Internal Audit reports directly to the Audit Committee, has direct and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee and regularly meets with the Audit Committee in executive session.


Executive Sessions

Non-management directors generally meet in executive session without management present at each regularly scheduled meeting of the board.

Mr. Stephens, in his capacity as Lead Director, presides at these executive sessions.


Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees

The board of directors held eightten meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.2011. The board of directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee. During the last fiscal year, no director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the board and all of the committees of the board on which such director served during that period.

    Audit Committee

The members of the Audit Committee during fiscal 20102011 were Messrs. Crespi,Child (beginning in August 2010), Ferguson, Pardun, (beginning in March 2010), Trempont and, until his deaththe annual meeting of stockholders in JanuaryOctober 2010, Larry D. Mitchell. Mr. Child was appointedChristopher J. Crespi, a former director who declined to the Audit Committee in August 2010.stand for re-election. Messrs. Ferguson and Trempont have been designated as audit committee financial experts, as defined in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The functions of the Audit Committee include oversight, review and evaluation of our financial statements, accounting and financial reporting processes, internal control functions and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm, and establishing and observing complaint procedures regarding accounting, internal auditing controls and auditing matters. Additional information concerning the Audit Committee is set forth in the Report of the Audit Committee immediately following Proposal No. 2. The Audit Committee held eightten meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.2011.


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    Compensation Committee

The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 20102011 were Messrs. Fries,Child (beginning in June 2010), Stephens, Trempont and, until the annual meeting of stockholders in November 2009, Morgan Jones,October 2010, David C. Fries, a former director who declined to stand for re-election. Mr. Child was appointed to the Compensation Committee in June 2010. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, reviews and approves equity awards to our employees and establishes and reviews general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees. Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee is set forth in “Executive"Executive Compensation and Related Matters — Matters—Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" below. The Compensation Committee held sixseven meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.

2011.

    Nominating and Governance Committee

The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee during fiscal 20102011 were Messrs. Ferguson, Fries, Pardun, (beginning in March 2010), Stephens and, until his deaththe annual meeting of stockholders in JanuaryOctober 2010, Mr. Mitchell.David C. Fries, a former director who declined to stand for re-election. The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies prospective candidates for appointment and nomination for election to the board of directors and makes recommendations to the board concerning such candidates, develops corporate governance principles for recommendation to the board of directors and oversees the evaluation of our directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.


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2011.



Director Nominations

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, the selection and recommendation to the board of directors of nominees for election as directors. When considering the nomination of directors for election at an annual meeting, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews the needs of the board of directors for various skills, background, experience and expected contributions and the qualification standards established from time to time by the Nominating and Governance Committee. When reviewing potential nominees, including incumbents, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers the perceived needs of the board of directors, the candidate’scandidate's relevant background, experience and skills and expected contributions to the board of directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee also seeks appropriate input from the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers in assessing the needs of the board of directors for relevant background, experience and skills of its members.

The Nominating and Governance Committee’sCommittee's goal is to assemble a board of directors that brings to Finisar a diversity of experience at policy-making levels in business and technology, and in areas that are relevant to Finisar’sFinisar's global activities. Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values and be committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. They must have an inquisitive and objective outlook and mature judgment. They must also have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility and be leaders in the companies or institutions with which they are or have been affiliated. Director candidates must have sufficient time available in the judgment of the Nominating and Governance Committee to perform all board and committee responsibilities that will be expected of them. Members of the board of directors are expected to rigorously prepare for, attend and participate in all meetings of the board of directors and applicable committees. While we do not have a specific policy regarding diversity, when considering the nomination of directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee does consider the diversity of its directors and nominees in terms of knowledge, experience, background, skills, expertise and other demographic factors. Other than the foregoing, there are no specific minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Governance Committee believes that it is preferable that a majority of the board of directors meet the definition of “independent director”"independent director" set forth in Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Nominating and Governance Committee also believes it appropriate for one or


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more key members of the Company’sCompany's management, including the Chief Executive Officer, to serve on the board of directors.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider candidates for directors proposed by directors or management, and will evaluate any such candidates against the criteria and pursuant to the policies and procedures set forth above. If the Nominating and Governance Committee believes that the board of directors requires additional candidates for nomination, the Nominating and Governance Committee may engage, as appropriate, a third party search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates. All incumbent directors and nominees will be required to submit a completed directors’directors' and officers’officers' questionnaire as part of the nominating process. The process may also include interviews and additional background and reference checks for non-incumbent nominees, at the discretion of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will also consider candidates for directors recommended by a stockholder, provided that any such recommendation is sent in writing to the board of directors,c/o Corporate Secretary, 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California94089-1113; Fax:(408) 745-6097; Email address: corporate.secretary@finisar.com, at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date definitive proxy materials were mailed to stockholders in connection with the prior year’syear's annual meeting of stockholders and contains the following information:

• the candidate’s name, age, contact information and present principal occupation or employment; and
• a description of the candidate’s qualifications, skills, background and business experience during at least the last five years, including his or her principal occupation and employment and the name and principal business of any company or other organization where the candidate has been employed or has served as a director.

    the candidate's name, age, contact information and present principal occupation or employment; and

    a description of the candidate's qualifications, skills, background and business experience during at least the last five years, including his or her principal occupation and employment and the name and principal business of any company or other organization where the candidate has been employed or has served as a director.


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The Nominating and Governance Committee will evaluate any candidates recommended by stockholders against the same criteria and pursuant to the same policies and procedures applicable to the evaluation of candidates proposed by directors or management.

In addition, stockholders may make direct nominations of directors for election at an annual meeting, provided the advance notice requirements set forth in our bylaws have been met. Under our bylaws, written notice of such nomination, including certain information and representations specified in the bylaws, must be delivered to our principal executive offices, addressed to the Corporate Secretary, at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date definitive proxy materials were mailed to stockholders in connection with the prior year’syear's annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been advanced by more than 30 days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’syear's proxy statement, such notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.


Communications by Stockholders with Directors

Stockholders may communicate with the board of directors, or any individual director, by transmitting correspondence by mail, facsimile or email, addressed as follows: Board of Directors or individual director,c/o Corporate Secretary, 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California94089-1113; Fax:(408) 745-6097; Email Address: corporate.secretary@finisar.com. The Corporate Secretary will maintain a log of such communications and will transmit as soon as practicable such communications to the board of directors or to the identified director(s), although communications that are abusive, in bad taste or that present safety or security concerns may be handled differently, as determined by the Corporate Secretary.


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Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

We attempt to schedule our annual meeting of stockholders at a time and date to accommodate attendance by directors, taking into account the directors’directors' schedules. Directors are encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders, but the board has not adopted a formal policy with respect to such attendance. Three directors attended our last annual meeting of stockholders.


Committee Charters and Other Corporate Governance Materials

We have a Code of Ethics, or the Code, that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors. The Code is available athttp://investor.finisar.com/governance.cfm. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website, as well as via any other means then required by Nasdaq listing standards or applicable law.

Our board of directors has adopted a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Each charter is available on our website athttp://investor.finisar.com/documents.cfm.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Compensation Committee are or have been an officer or employee of Finisar. During fiscal 2010,2011, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with Finisar requiring disclosure under Item 404 ofRegulation S-K. During fiscal 2010,2011, none of Finisar’sFinisar's executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or board of directors of another entity any of whose executive officers served on Finisar’sFinisar's Compensation Committee or board of directors.



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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Under our current policy for the compensation of non-employee directors, thatwhich was in effect during fiscal 2010,2011, non-employee directors (other than Morgan Jones, who declined compensation) wereare entitled to receive an annual retainer of $30,000 and $2,000 for attendance in person ($1,000 for attendance by telephone) at each meeting of the board of directors or its committees (with regular quarterly meetings of the board of directors and committee meetings held on the day of such regular board meetings considered to be a single meeting). The Lead Director was entitled to receive an additional amount of $20,000 per year for serving in$50,000 that capacity. In addition, members of the standing committees of the board were entitled to receive annual retainers,is payable quarterly, in the following amounts:

             
    Other
  
Committee
 Chair Members  
 
Audit $20,000  $10,000     
Compensation  15,000   7,500     
Nominating and Governance  12,500   6,000     
In February 2009, in connection with the broad-based 10% reduction in base salaries of our employees, all cash compensation payable to non-employee directors was temporarily reduced by 10% from the amounts described above. On September 9, 2009, the board of directors determined to reverse the 10% reduction in non-employee director compensation, effective November 2, 2009, concurrently with the reversal of the broad-based 10% salary reductions affecting most of ourU.S.-based employees.
Under the policy in effect during fiscal 2010, all new, non-employee directors were granted an option to purchase 8,750 shares of our common stock upon their initial election to the board and an option to purchase 3,750 shares of our common stock and an RSU for 1,250 shares on an annual basis thereafter. The grant of the annual options and RSUs to non-employee directors was generally made at the first meeting of the board of directors in each fiscal year. The initial options vest over a period of three years from the date of grant, and the annual options and RSUs vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant. As with all options, the per-share exercise price of each such option equals the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. In addition to the annual grants made during fiscal 2010, in September 2009, to partially address the diminished incentive value of their outstanding options, the board approved a special award of options and RSUs to the non-employee directors based on the number of shares of underlying outstanding stock options having exercise prices greater than the 52-week high trading price of Finisar common stock as of the grant date.
In June 2010, the board of directors approved a revised policy for the compensation of non-employee directors. Under the revised policy, effective May 1, 2010 non-employee directors receive an increased annual retainer of $50,000 but no longer receive additional per-meeting fees for attendance at board and committee meetings.quarterly. The Lead Director receives an additional amount of $10,000 per year for serving in that capacity. In addition, members of the standing committees of the board are entitled to receive annual retainers, payable quarterly, in the following amounts.amounts:

Committee
 Chair Other
Members
 

Audit

 $16,000 $8,000 

Compensation

  10,000  5,000 

Nominating and Governance

  10,000  5,000 
         
    Other
Committee
 Chair Members
 
Audit $16,000  $8,000 
Compensation  10,000   5,000 
Nominating and Governance  10,000   5,000 
Under both the former and current policy, we

        We also reimburse directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the board and its committees.

In addition, under the revised policy all new non-employee directors willare entitled to receive an RSUa restricted stock unit ("RSU") award with a value of $100,000 upon their initial election to the board and an additional RSU award with a value of $50,000 on an annual basis thereafter. The grant of the annual RSU awards willis generally be made at the first meeting of the board in each fiscal year. The initial RSU awards vest over a period of three years from the date of grant, and the annual RSU awards vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The number of shares subject to each RSU award will beis determined based on the per share value of our common stock on the date of grant.


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The following table presents the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during or for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010:
2011:

Director Compensation Table

Name
 Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
 Stock
Awards(1)(2)
 Option
Awards(1)(2)
 All Other
Compensation
 Total
Compensation
 

Michael C. Child

 $58,625 $99,997 $ $ $158,622 

Christopher J. Crespi

  39,000  49,990      88,990 

Roger C. Ferguson

  86,000  49,990      135,990 

David C. Fries

  49,250  49,990      99,240 

Thomas E. Pardun

  76,000  49,990      125,990 

Robert N. Stephens

  96,500  49,990      146,490 

Dominique Trempont

  77,875  49,990      127,865 
                     
  Fees Earned or
 Stock
 Option
 All Other
 Total
Name
 Paid in Cash Awards(1) Awards(1)(2) Compensation Compensation
 
Christopher J. Crespi $60,600  $9,100  $17,986  $  $87,686 
Roger C. Ferguson  82,200   27,300   29,977      139,477 
David C. Fries  62,750   21,840   26,380      110,970 
Morgan Jones               
Larry D. Mitchell  62,651   43,680   40,769      147,100 
Thomas E. Pardun  17,500   16,625   78,688      112,813 
Robert N. Stephens  62,251   21,840   26,380      110,471 
Dominique Trempont  68,026   21,840   26,380      116,246 

(1)
Valuation based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used by us with respect to the valuation of option grants are set forth in "Finisar Corporation Consolidated Financial Statements—Notes to Financial Statements—Note 18—Stockholders' Equity" included in our annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2011.

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(2)
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the stock options and RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 to each non-employee member of our board of directors:

Name
 Grant Date Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Underlying
Options and
Stock Awards
 Exercise
Price of
Options and
Stock Awards
($/Share)
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Option and
Stock Awards
 

Michael C. Child

  6/15/10  6,353(1)$ $99,997 

Christopher J. Crespi

  6/15/10  3,176(2)   49,990 

Roger C. Ferguson

  6/15/10  3,176(2)   49,990 

David C. Fries

  6/15/10  3,176(2)   49,990 

Thomas E. Pardun

  6/15/10  3,176(2)   49,990 

Robert N. Stephens

  6/15/10  3,176(2)   49,990 

Dominique Trempont

  6/15/10  3,176(2)   49,990 

(1)
Initial RSU award granted upon Mr. Child's election to the board.

(2)
RSU annual awards.
(1)Valuation based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used by us with respect to the valuation of option grants are set forth in “Finisar Corporation Consolidated Financial Statements — Notes to Financial Statements — Note 17 — Stockholders’ Equity” included in our annual report onForm 10-K for fiscal 2010.
(2)The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the stock options and RSUs granted during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010 to each non-employee member of our board of directors:
                 
     Number of
       
     Shares of
  Exercise
    
     Common Stock
  Price of
  Grant Date
 
     Underlying
  Options and
  Fair Value of
 
     Options and
  Stock Awards
  Option and
 
Name
 Grant Date  Stock Awards  ($/Share)  Stock Awards 
 
Christopher J. Crespi  9/15/2009   3,750(1) $7.28  $17,986 
   9/15/2009   1,250(2)     9,100 
Roger C. Ferguson  9/15/2009   6,250(1)  7.28   29,977 
   9/15/2009   3,750(2)     27,300 
David C. Fries  9/15/2009   5,500(1)  7.28   26,380 
   9/15/2009   3,000(2)     21,840 
Morgan Jones            
Larry D. Mitchell  9/15/2009   8,500(1)  7.28   40,769 
   9/15/2009   6,000(2)     43,680 
Thomas E. Pardun  3/8/2010   8,750(3)  13.30   78,688 
   3/8/2010   1,250(2)     16,625 
Robert N. Stephens  9/15/2009   5,500(1)  7.28   26,380 
   9/15/2009   3,000(2)     21,840 
Dominique Trempont  9/15/2009   5,500(1)  7.28   26,380 
   9/15/2009   3,000(2)     21,840 
(1)Stock option awards; includes both annual awards and the special award, if any, described above.
(2)RSU awards; includes both annual awards and the special award, if any, described above.
(3)Initial stock option award granted upon Mr. Pardun’s election to the board.


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The        Our non-employee directors held the following numbers of stock options and unvested RSUs as of April 30, 2010.2011.

Name
 Stock Options
Outstanding
 Unvested Restricted
Stock Units
Outstanding
 

Michael C. Child

    6,353 

Roger C. Ferguson

  22,709  4,426 

Thomas E. Pardun

  8,750  3,176 

Robert N. Stephens

  7,469  4,051 

Dominique Trempont

  23,833  4,051 
         
    Unvested Restricted
  Stock Options
 Stock Units
Name
 Outstanding Outstanding
 
Christopher J. Crespi  32,939   1,250 
Roger C. Ferguson  25,209   3,333 
David C. Fries  19,247   3,000 
Thomas E. Pardun  8,750   1,250 
Robert N. Stephens  22,166   3,000 
Dominique Trempont  23,833   2,708 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2


RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORSREGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of our board of directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the independent auditorsregistered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of Finisar for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011.2012. Ernst & Young LLP has acted in such capacity since its initial appointment in fiscal 1999. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to usFinisar for the fiscal years ended April 30, 20102011 and April 30, 20092010 by our principal independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP:

        
 Year Ended
 Year Ended
 
 April 30,
 April 30,
 
 2010 2009 
 Year Ended
April 30, 2011
 Year Ended
April 30, 2010
 
Audit fees(1) $2,452,000  $2,650,000  $1,836,552 $2,452,000 
Audit-related fees(2)     26,000  26,208  
Tax fees(3)  18,200   100,000  11,159 18,200 
          
Total Fees $2,470,200  $2,776,000  $1,873,919 $2,470,200 
          

(1)
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, the review of our interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, consultations in connection with acquisitions and issuances of auditor consents and comfort letters in connection with SEC registration statements and related SEC and non-SEC securities offerings.

(2)
Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under "Audit Fees." This category includes fees related to financial due diligence.

(3)
Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (domestic and international). These services include assistance regarding federal, state and international tax compliance, acquisitions and international tax planning.
(1)Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements, internal control over financial reporting and the review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, consultations in connection with acquisitions and concerning financial reporting, and attest services.
(2)Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” This category includes fees related to employee benefit plan audits and financial due diligence.
(3)Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (domestic and international). These services include assistance regarding federal, state and international tax compliance, acquisitions and international tax planning.

The Audit Committee has determined that all services performed by Ernst & Young LLP are compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax and other services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the chair of the Audit Committee the authority to approve permitted services, provided that the chair reports any decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The


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independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval process.


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Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required for approval of this proposal. If the stockholders do not approve the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our auditors, the Audit Committee will re-consider its selection.

The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR”"FOR" the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditorsregistered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011.2012.



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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee currently consists of fivefour directors, each of whom, in the judgment of the board of directors, is an “independent director”"independent director" as defined in the listing standards for the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter that has been adopted by the board of directors. A copy of the charter is available on Finisar’sFinisar's website athttp://investor.finisar.com/documents.cfm.

The Audit Committee oversees Finisar’sFinisar's financial reporting process on behalf of the board of directors. The Audit Committee is responsible for retaining Finisar’sFinisar's independent registered public accounting firm, evaluating theirits independence, qualifications and performance and approving in advance the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for all audit and non-audit services. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the financial reporting process, including internal control systems, and procedures designed to insure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Finisar’sFinisar's independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is responsible for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Finisar’sFinisar's audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLPthe independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA,Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Audit Committee has met with Ernst & Young LLP,the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the overall scope of Ernst & Young LLP’sthe independent registered public accounting firm's audit, the results of its examinations, its auditevaluations of Finisar’sFinisar's internal controls and the overall quality of Finisar’sFinisar's financial reporting.

The Audit Committee has received from Ernst & Young LLP the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’sfirm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP any relationship that may impact their objectivity and independence, and has satisfied itself as to the auditors’independent registered public accounting firm its independence.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to Finisar’sFinisar's board of directors that Finisar’sFinisar's audited financial statements be included in Finisar’sFinisar's Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.2011.

AUDIT COMMITTEE



Roger C. Ferguson (Chair)
Michael C. Child
Thomas E. Pardun
Dominique Trempont
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Roger C. Ferguson (Chair)
Michael C. Child
Christopher J. Crespi
Thomas E. Pardun
Dominique Trempont

The foregoing Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Finisar under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Finisar specifically incorporates such information by reference.



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PROPOSAL NO. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SHARE OWNERSHIP Background
BY MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information knownDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, requires that our stockholders have the opportunity to us regardingvote to approve, on a non-binding or advisory basis, the beneficial ownershipcompensation of our common stocknamed executive officers as disclosed in the "Executive Compensation" section of July 31, 2010 by:

• each of our directors;
• each of our executive officers namedthis proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules, commonly referred to as a "Say-on-Pay" vote.

        As described in the Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2010 in “Executive Compensation and Related Matters” below; and

• all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
To our knowledge, there are no stockholders who beneficially own more than 5%Compensation Discussion and Analysis included elsewhere in this proxy statement, we seek to closely align the interests of our common stock.
         
  Shares of Common Stock
  Beneficially Owned(1)
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
 Number Percentage
 
Directors:
        
Jerry S. Rawls(2)  1,153,473   1.50%
Eitan Gertel(3)  932,316   1.21%
Michael C. Child(4)  5,979   *
Christopher J. Crespi(5)  34,478   *
Roger C. Ferguson(6)  32,474   *
David C. Fries(7)  18,611   *
Thomas E. Pardun     *
Robert N. Stephens(8)  22,780   *
Dominique Trempont(9)  24,317   *
Named Executive Officers:
        
Kurt Adzema(10)  79,366   *
Mark Colyar(11)  272,435   *
Todd Swanson(12)  60,066   *
Stephen K. Workman(13)  175,758   *
Joseph A. Young(14)  166,436   *
All executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons)(15)  3,109,354   3.97%
  *Less than 1%.
(1)The address of each of the named individuals is:c/o Finisar Corporation, 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. All shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and restricted stock units (RSUs) that vest within that period are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage of ownership of that person. They are not, however, deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Accordingly, percent ownership is based on 76,483,100 shares of common stock outstanding as of July 31, 2010 plus any shares issuable pursuant to options held by the person or group in question which may be exercised within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and RSUs that vest within that period. Except as indicated in the other footnotes to the table and subject to applicable community property laws, based on information provided by the persons named in the table, these persons have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of the common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2)Includes 346,648 shares held by The Rawls Family, L.P. Mr. Rawls is the president of the Rawls Management Corporation, the general partner of The Rawls Family, L.P. Includes (a) 435,344 shares issuable upon exercise


15

executive officers with the interests of our stockholders and to offer compensation that will enable us to attract and retain superior executive talent. Our compensation programs are designed to reward our executive officers for the achievement of our short-term and long-term strategic and operational goals and the achievement of increased total stockholder return, while avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. Please read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section starting on page 17 of this proxy statement for a detailed discussion of our compensation philosophy and our executive compensation programs.


        This advisory vote on executive compensation is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers, who are collectively referred to as our named executive officers, which is disclosed elsewhere in this proxy statement. The vote is advisory, and therefore is not binding on the Company, our board of directors or our Compensation Committee in any way.

        Furthermore, because this non-binding, advisory resolution primarily relates to the compensation of our named executive officers that has already been paid or contractually committed, there is generally no opportunity for us to revisit these decisions. However, our board of directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation policies and decisions.

of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 7,813 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(3)Includes (a) 565,064 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010, (b) 7,813 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (c) 31,907 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant that is currently exercisable.
(4)Includes 5,061 shares held by the Child Family Trust.
(5)Includes (a) 30,221 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 1,250 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(6)Includes (a) 21,849 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 1,458 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(7)Includes (a) 16,778 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 1,395 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(8)Includes (a) 19,697 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 1,395 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(9)Includes (a) 21,234 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 1,395 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(10)Includes (a) 72,912 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 3,344 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(11)Includes (a) 219,785 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010, (b) 3,750 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (c) 5,676 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant that is currently exercisable.
(12)Includes (a) 51,847 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 3,802 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(13)Includes (a) 132,554 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (b) 3,125 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(14)Includes (a) 161,748 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010, (b) 4,688 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010.
(15)Includes (a) 1,871,117 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following July 31, 2010, (b) 44,353 RSUs that vest within 60 days following July 31, 2010 and (c) 37,583 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants that are currently exercisable.
        Stockholders will be asked at the annual meeting to approve the following resolution pursuant to this Proposal No. 3:

            "RESOLVED, that the compensation of the Company's named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative discussion, is hereby approved."


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Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors


        The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter is required for approval of this resolution.

The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" approval of the foregoing resolution.


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PROPOSAL NO. 4

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY STOCKHOLDER VOTES
ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        The Dodd-Frank Act also requires that we conduct a separate advisory non-binding stockholder vote on whether future Say-on-Pay votes should occur every one, two or three years. You have the option to vote for any one of the three options, or to abstain from voting on the matter.

        Our board of directors believes that the Company's current executive compensation programs directly link executive compensation to our financial performance and align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders. Our board of directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation every year is the most appropriate option based on a number of considerations, including the following:

    Annual votes will allow stockholders to provide the Company with their direct input on the compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year;

    Annual votes are consistent with Company policies of annually seeking input from, and engaging in discussions with, the Company's stockholders on corporate governance matters and executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices; and

    Less frequent votes could allow an unpopular pay practice to continue too long without timely feedback.

        Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the board's recommendation. Rather, stockholders are being provided with the opportunity to cast a non-binding, advisory vote on whether the stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers should occur once every (a) one year, (b) two years or (c) three years, or to abstain from voting on the matter.

        The vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers is advisory, and therefore is not binding on the Company, our board of directors or our Compensation Committee in any way. Our board of directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will take into account the outcome of the vote in considering the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.


Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter is required to approve the frequency of future Say-on-Pay votes. If a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter do not vote in favor of one of the three frequencies, the frequency which receives the highest number of votes will be considered to be the frequency favored by stockholders.

The board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote for the option of every "One Year" as the frequency with which the compensation of our named executive officers will be submitted for an advisory non-binding stockholder vote.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

    Overview

The following discussion explains our compensation philosophy, objectives and procedures and describes the forms of compensation awarded to our Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer, each of the executives who served as our Chief Financial Officer, during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010, and each of our three other most highly-compensated executives (determined as of April 30, 2010)2011). We refer to these individuals as our “named"named executive officers." This discussion focuses on the information contained in the tables and related footnotes and narrative included below, primarily for our 20102011 fiscal year, but also contains information regarding compensation actions taken before and after fiscal 20102011 to the extent we believe such information enhances our executive compensation disclosure.

    Philosophy, Objectives and Procedures

Our fundamental compensation philosophy is to align the compensation of our senior management with our annual and long-term business objectives and performance and to offer compensation that will enable us to attract, retain and appropriately reward executive officers whose contributions are necessary for our long-term success. We seek to reward our executive officers’officers' contributions to achieving revenue growth, increasing operating profitsincome and controlling costs. We operate in a very competitive environment for executive talent, and we believe that our compensation packages must be competitive when compared to our peers and should also be aligned with our stockholders’stockholders' short and long-term interests.

The Compensation Committee of our board of directors oversees the design and administration of our executive compensation program. The principal elements of the program are base salary, annual cash bonuses and equity-based incentives which, to date, have been in the form of stock options and restricted stock units, or RSUs. In general, the Compensation Committee’sCommittee's policy is that the base salary component oftotal compensation paid to our executive officer compensation packageofficers should be comparable to thefair and competitive, taking into account, among other factors, compensation paid by peer companies to officers with comparable responsibilities while incentive compensation,and our success in achieving our revenue and operating income goals. However, it is not the formCompensation Committee's policy to adhere to a rigid formula or benchmark system and, for a variety of annual cash bonuses and equity awards, should provide an opportunity forreasons, including our comparatively rapid recent growth, various elements of our executive officers to earn total compensation exceedingpackage may lag behind the median total compensation of their counterparts atamounts paid by our peer companies based on their individual performance and Finisar’s operating results exceeding targeted objectives.

companies.

Generally, the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of our executive officers in the early part of each fiscal year and takes action at that time to award cash bonuses for the preceding fiscal year, to set base salaries and target bonuses for the current fiscal year and to consider long-term incentives in the form of equity-based awards. In setting our executive officers’officers' total compensation, the Compensation Committee considers individual and company performance, as well as compensation surveys, including the Radford Executive Survey, and other market information regarding compensation paid by comparable companies, including our industry peers.

In its annual review of compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers compensation data and analyses assembled and prepared by our Human Resources staff. In reviewing the performance of our Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer, the Committee solicits input from the other non-employee members of the board of directors. For the other executive officers, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer provide the Compensation Committee with a review of each individual’sindividual's performance and contributions over the past year and make recommendations regarding their compensation that the Compensation Committee considers.

In some years, the Compensation Committee retains compensation consultants to assist it in its review of executive officer compensation. The Compensation Committee engaged J. Richard & Co.Assets


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Unlimited, Inc., a compensation consulting firm, in connection with its annual review of executive officer compensationreviews at the beginning of fiscal 2009. In part because of temporary,across-the-board salary reductions that were in effect at the beginning of2011 and fiscal 2010, the Compensation Committee did not engage a compensation consultant in connection with its review of executive officer compensation for fiscal 2010. The Compensation Committee engaged Assets Unlimited, Inc., a


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compensation consulting firm, in connection with its review at the beginning of fiscal 2011.2012. The Compensation Committee reviewed cash and equity compensation analyses prepared by Assets Unlimited, Inc. and met with a representative of that firm.

    FormsComponents of Compensation

In order to align executive compensation with our compensation philosophy, our executive officer compensation package contains three primary elements: base salary, annual cash bonuses and long-term equity incentives. In addition, we provide to our executive officers a variety of benefits that are available generally to other salaried employees. The basic elements of our executive compensation package are generally the same among all of our named executive officers.

    Fiscal 2011 Base Salaries

Base salaries for our executive officers are initially set based on negotiation with the individual executive officer at the time of his or her recruitment and with reference to salaries for comparable positions in the fiber optics industry for individuals of similar education and background to those of the executive officer being recruited. We also give consideration to the individual’sindividual's experience, track record of contribution in his or her industry and expected contributions to Finisar. Salaries are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee, typically at the beginning of the fiscal year, and adjustments are made based on (i) salary recommendations of our Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the Compensation Committee’sCommittee's assessment of the individual performance of the executive officers during the previous fiscal year, (iii) Finisar’sFinisar's financial results for the previous fiscal year and (iv) changes in competitive pay levels, based on compensation data and analyses assembled and prepared by our Human Relations staff and, in years when a compensation consultant is engaged to assist the Compensation Committee, reports by such consultant.

In February 2009, in light of deteriorating global market conditions and their effect on our then current and prospective operating results and financial condition, the Compensation Committee determined to temporarily reduce the base salaries of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and all other executive officers by 10%. This determination was not based on individual performance, but was made as part of a broad-based 10% reduction in base salary that affected all of ourU.S.-based employees (provided that no base salary was reduced below $50,000). Thisacross-the-board salary reduction remained in effect throughout the first half of fiscal 2010. In September 2009, the Compensation Committee approved the reversal of the 10% reduction in officer salaries, effective November 2, 2009, concurrently with the reversal of the broad-based salary reduction affecting other employees. During the second half of fiscal 2010, our executive officers received base salaries at the levels in effect at the beginning of fiscal 2009.

The Compensation Committee engaged Assets Unlimited, Inc., a compensation consulting firm, to assist in its review of executive compensation for fiscal 2011. Assets Unlimited, Inc. prepared a report including a summary of compensation data for the following companies, including our industry peers and similarly-sized companies in our broader industry group (the “Peer Companies”"Peer Companies"):

Applied Micro Circuits Netgear QLogic
Atheros Communications Novellus Quantum Corp.
Cadence Design Oclaro Smart Modular
Coherent Omnivision Triquint
Equinix Opnext Varian
Intersil Plantronics  
MRV Communications PMC Sierra  

In considering executive compensation levels for fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee took into account its general compensation philosophy, as described above, and various other considerations, including the following:

• the officers’

    the officers' salary history, including the fact that there had been no increases in base salaries during fiscal 2010 and an across-the-board salary reduction had been in effect during the first half of fiscal 2010;across-the-board salary reduction that had been in effect during the first half of fiscal 2010;


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• specific contributions of individual officers during fiscal 2010, changes in their duties and responsibilities and their expected contributions during fiscal 2011; and
• the Company’s financial performance during fiscal 2010 and the then-current outlook for fiscal 2011.
The Committee also considered
specific contributions of individual officers during fiscal 2010, changes in their duties and responsibilities and their expected contributions during fiscal 2011;

the report of Assets Unlimited, Inc. on Peer Company compensation and other available compensation data for comparable companies. In reviewing that data, the Committee tookcompanies, taking into account differences between the

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      actual responsibilities of the Finisar officers and those typical for the generic categories listed in the reportsreports; and

    Finisar's financial performance during fiscal 2010 and the recent change in Finisar’s peer group status as a result of increased revenues resulting from the Optium merger.
then-current outlook for fiscal 2011.

On the basis of its review, in June 2010, the Compensation Committee set new base salaries for our executive officers for fiscal 2011, with increases of between 4% and 5% over the levels in effect during fiscal 2009 and 2010 (excluding the period in fiscal 2010 during which the temporary salary reduction was in force). The fiscal 2011 base salaries of the named executive officers and data on base salaries of officers of comparable companies thatreviewed by the Compensation Committee consideredin June 2010 are as follows:

            
   Median
 Median
 
 Fiscal 2011
 Peer Company
 Radford
 
Name
 Base Salary Base Salary(1) Base Salary(2)  Fiscal 2011
Base Salary
 Median
Peer Company
Base Salary(1)
 Median
Radford
Base Salary(2)
 
Jerry S. Rawls $461,760  $531,692  $603,000  $461,760 $531,692 $603,000 
Eitan Gertel $461,760  $531,692  $603,000  $461,760 $531,692 $603,000 
Joseph A. Young $369,200  $304,750  $334,400  $369,200 $304,750 $334,400 
Kurt Adzema $294,000  $318,327  $330,000  $294,000 $318,327 $330,000 
Mark Colyar $293,436  $304,750  $334,400  $293,436 $304,750 $334,400 
Todd Swanson $285,600  $306,923  $350,000  $284,031 $306,923 $350,000 
Stephen K. Workman $282,880  $224,662  $208,613 

(1)
Based on data compiled by Assets Unlimited, Inc. in June 2010 for cash payments to officers with comparable duties at the Peer Companies.

(2)
Based on data from the Radford Executive Survey compiled in June 2010 for cash payments to officers with comparable duties at companies with annual revenues of between $500 million and $1 billion.
(1)Based on data compiled by Assets Unlimited, Inc. for base salaries of officers with comparable duties at the Peer Companies.
(2)Based on data from the Radford Executive Survey for base salaries of officers with comparable duties at companies with annual revenues of between $500 million and $1 billion.

    Fiscal 2011 Cash Bonuses

Under our compensation policy, a substantial component of each executive officer’sofficer's potential annual compensation takes the form of a performance-based cash bonus. The amounts of cash bonuses paid to our executive officers, other than the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, are determined by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, based on Finisar’sFinisar's financial performance and the achievement of the officer’sofficer's individual performance objectives. The amount of cash bonuses paid to the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer are determined by the Compensation Committee, without participation by the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer, based on the same factors.

In September 2009, the Compensation Committee adopted an executive officer bonus plan for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010 (the “Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan”). Under the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan, like previous plans, each executive officer was eligible to receive a target cash bonus of up to 100% of the executive officer’s annual base salary. The amount, if any, of an executive officer’s annual bonus under the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan was to be based 70% on the percentage increase of Finisar’s operating cash flow in fiscal 2010 over the previous fiscal year and 30% on a discretionary determination by the Compensation Committee of the applicable executive officer’s performance and achievement of individual goals for the fiscal year. In addition, notwithstanding the achievement of increased operating cash flowand/or individual performance goals, no executive officer was entitled to receive a bonus under the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan unless cash bonuses were granted generally to non-executive officer employees with respect to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.
We did not achieve an increase in operating cash flow in fiscal 2010 over the previous year, due principally to the significant investment in accounts payable and working capital that had been required to support our growth in


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the second half of the fiscal year. Accordingly, no bonuses became payable under the formula-based portion of the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan. However, the Compensation Committee took note of Finisar’s improved financial performance in the second half of the fiscal year as well as management’s success in completing several significant transactions that substantially improved its balance sheet. After considering these factors and the individual performance of the executive officers, the Committee granted the maximum discretionary bonus, of 30% of each executive officer’s base salary, payable under the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan. Original target bonuses for each of the named executive officers under the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan, bonuses actually paid under the plan for their services during fiscal 2010 and data on bonuses and non-equity compensation paid by comparable companies were as follows:
                 
        Median
    
        Peer Group
  Median
 
        Non-Equity
  Radford Non-Equity
 
  Fiscal 2010
  Fiscal 2010
  Incentive
  Incentive
 
Name
 Target Bonus  Bonus Paid  Compensation(1)  Compensation(2) 
 
Jerry S. Rawls $440,000  $133,200  $271,531  $483,000 
Eitan Gertel $440,000  $133,200  $271,531  $483,000 
Joseph A. Young $335,000  $106,500  $73,959  $167,000 
Mark Colyar $282,150  $84,645  $73,959  $167,000 
Kurt Adzema $280,000  $84,000  $10,000  $62,773 
Todd Swanson $272,000  $81,600  $264,201  $213,200 
Stephen K. Workman $272,000  $81,600  $99,631  $239,920 
(1)Based on data compiled by Assets Unlimited, Inc. for bonuses and other non-equity incentive payments to officers with comparable duties at the Peer Companies.
(2)Based on data from the Radford Executive Survey for bonuses and other non-equity incentive payments to officers with comparable duties at companies with annual revenues of between $500 million and $1 billion.
In June 2010, the Compensation Committee adopted an executive bonus plan for the fiscal endingended April 30, 2011 (the “Fiscal 2011 Bonus Plan”"2011 Plan"). Under the Fiscal 2011 Bonus Plan, the aggregate target bonuses for Messrs. Rawls and Gertel arewere 100% of their annual base salary, and the aggregate target bonus for each of the other named executive officers iswas 60% of their annual base salary. The aggregate bonus for each executive officer under the Fiscal 2011 Bonus Plan willwas to be based 70% on Finisar’sFinisar's achievement of the pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income called for by its fiscal 2011 operating plan and 30% on a discretionary determination by the Compensation Committee of the applicable executive officer’sofficer's performance and achievement of individual goals for the fiscal year. Finisar mustwas required to achieve at least 58% of its pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income target before a portion of the quantitative bonus canwould be earned; the amount of the bonus willwould increase on a linear basis thereafter, with no limit on the amount of the quantitative bonus that maycould be earned. If Finisar achieves itsOur pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income target,during fiscal 2011 increased by approximately 308% over the amount of the quantitative portion of the bonus for each executive officer will equal 70% of the aggregate target bonus for each named executive officer. If Finisar exceeds its pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income target, the amount of the quantitative bonus for each executive officer will exceed 70% of the aggregate target bonus. Any bonus amounts earned under the Fiscal 2011 Bonus Plan are expected to be paid in cash. The Compensation Committee believes that achieving the formula-based portion of the target bonuses will be difficult. Achieving or exceeding the pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income called for inprevious fiscal year and substantially exceeded our fiscal 2011 operating plan. Accordingly, bonuses earned by our executive officers under the quantitative component of the 2011 Plan substantially exceeded target levels. In light of these results, and taking


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into account our operating results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that no portion of the discretionary component of the 2011 Plan would be awarded. Original target bonuses for each of the named executive officers under the 2011 Plan, bonuses actually paid under the plan will be dependent upon realizing significant revenuefor their services during fiscal 2011 and operating income growthdata on bonuses and non-equity compensation paid by comparable companies reviewed by the Compensation Committee in June 2010 are as follows:

Name
 Fiscal 2011
Target Bonus
 Fiscal 2011
Bonus Paid(1)
 Median
Peer Group Non-
Equity Incentive
Compensation(2)
 Median
Radford Non-
Equity Incentive
Compensation(3)
 

Jerry S. Rawls

 $461,760 $538,505 $271,531 $483,000 

Eitan Gertel

 $461,760 $538,505 $271,531 $483,000 

Joseph A. Young

 $221,520 $258,329 $73,959 $167,000 

Kurt Adzema

 $176,400 $205,712 $99,631 $239,920 

Mark Colyar

 $176,002 $205,317 $73,959 $167,000 

Todd Swanson

 $170,419 $199,834 $264,201 $213,200 

(1)
Mr. Swanson's bonus for fiscal 2011 was paid through a combination of $100,000 in cash and the facegrant of operational challengesRSUs with a value of $99,834 on the date of grant. All other bonuses were paid in cash.

(2)
Based on data compiled by Assets Unlimited, Inc. in June 2010 for bonuses and an environmentother non-equity payments to officers with comparable duties at the Peer Companies.

(3)
Based on data from the Radford Executive Survey compiled in June 2010 for bonuses and other non-equity payments to officers with comparable duties at companies with annual revenues of economic uncertainty. It will also be dependent on increased sales of our customers’ products over which we have no control. Finisar has achieved or exceeded the non-GAAP operating income called for in its original annual operating plan in two of its last five fiscal years.between $500 million and $1 billion.

    Equity-based Incentives

Longer term incentives are provided through equity-based awards granted under Finisar’sFinisar's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, which reward executives and other employees through the growth in value of our stock. To date, these awards have been in the form of stock options and RSUs. The Compensation Committee believes that employee equity ownership is highly motivating, provides an important incentive for employees to build


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stockholder value and provides each executive officer with a significant incentive to manage Finisar from the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the company.

All stock option awards to our employees, including executive officers, are granted at fair market value on the date of grant, and will provide value to the executive officers only when the price of our common stock increases over the exercise price. We have established a policy whereby stock options and other equity awards to our employees, including executive officers, are generally granted by the Compensation Committee at regular quarterly meetings with an effective date that is the later of the third trading day following the public announcement of Finisar’sFinisar's financial results for the preceding quarter or the date of the meeting at which the grant is approved.

The vesting of stock options and RSUs held by our named executive officers is subject to acceleration pursuant to the terms of the Finisar Executive Retention and Severance Plan described below and, with respect to one stock option held by each of Eitan Gertel, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mark Colyar, our Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering, pursuant to the applicable stock option agreement as described belowbelow.


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The size of the stock option and RSU awards granted to each executive officer during fiscal 20102011 was set by the Compensation Committee at levels that were intended to create a meaningful opportunity for stock ownership based upon the individual’sindividual's current position, the individual’sindividual's personal performance in recent periods, the individual’sindividual's potential for future responsibility and promotion over the option term, comparison of award levels in prior years and comparison of award levels earned by executives at our peer companies and similarly-sized companies in our broader industry group. The Compensation Committee also took into account the number of unvested options and RSUs held by the executive officer in order to maintain an appropriate level of retention value for that individual. The relative weight given to each of these factors variedvaries from individual to individual.

        In fiscal 2010,2011, our executive officers received two separate equity awards: (i) a regularan annual grant of stock options and RSUs in December 2009June 2010 based on the factors described above, with the relative weight given to each of these factors varying from individual to individual, and (ii) a special grant of stock options and RSUs in December 2009 in light of concerns of the Compensation Committee with respect to the diminished incentive value of outstanding stock options held by our employees, including our executive officers, with exercise prices greater than the 52-week high trading price of Finisar common stock as of the grant date, based on the employee’s holdings of such stock options.

During fiscal 2010, equity-based incentives accounted for approximately 66% of the total compensation of our Chairman, approximately 53% of the total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and an average of approximately 52% of the total compensation of our other named executive officers.
In connection with its review of executive officer compensation in June 2011, the Compensation Committee took into account the same general criteria considered in fiscal 2010 as well as the report of Assets Unlimited, Inc. and equity compensation data for the Peer Companies that it had compiled. Based on its review, the Compensation Committee granted RSUs to each of our executive officers.individual. The RSUs vest in annual installments over a four-year period, subject to the officers’officers' continued service. The numbers of shares of our common stock underlying the RSUs granted to the named executive officers were as follows:

Name
RSU Shares

Jerry S. Rawls

  114,140 

Eitan Gertel

  114,140 

Joseph A. Young

  42,872 

Kurt Adzema

  32,000 

Mark Colyar

  32,000 

Todd Swanson

32,000
Stephen K. Workman

  32,000 

    Other Benefits and Perquisites

Our named executive officers and other executives are generally eligible to receive the same health and welfare benefits offered to all employees in the geographic area in which they are based. We also offer participation in our


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defined contribution 401(k) plan. We currently provide no other perquisites to our named executive officers or other executive officers.

During fiscal 2010,2011, personal benefits accounted for less than 2% of the total compensation of our Chairman, our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers.

    Changes in Executive Compensation for Fiscal 2012; Fiscal 2012 Executive Bonus Plan

        For fiscal 2012, the Compensation Committee conducted its annual review of executive compensation. The Compensation Committee again engaged Assets Unlimited, Inc. to assist in its review. Assets Unlimited, Inc. prepared a report including a summary of compensation data for the following companies, including our industry peers and similarly-sized companies in our broader industry group:

Brocade CommunicationsJDS UniphasePMC Sierra
Cadence DesignNetgearQLogic
CoherentNovellusQuantum Corp.
Cypress SemiconductorOclaroSmart Modular
EquinixOmnivisionTriquint
Fairchild SemiconductorOpnextTrimble Navigation
IntersilPlantronics

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        In considering executive compensation levels for fiscal 2012 the Compensation Committee took into account its general compensation philosophy, as described above and various other considerations, including the following:

    the officers' salary history;

    specific contributions of individual officers during fiscal 2011 and their expected contributions during fiscal 2012;

    the report of Assets Unlimited, Inc. on peer company compensation and other available compensation data for comparable companies, taking into account differences between the actual responsibilities of the Finisar officers and those typical for the generic categories listed in the reports; and

    Finisar's financial performance during fiscal 2011 and the then-current outlook for fiscal 2012.

        On the basis of its review, in June 2011, the Compensation Committee set new base salaries for our executive officers for fiscal 2012, with increases of between 3% and 12% over the levels in effect during fiscal 2011. The fiscal 2012 base salaries of the named executive officers and data on base salaries of officers of comparable companies reviewed by the Compensation Committee in June 2011 are as follows:

Name
 Fiscal 2012
Base Salary
 Median
Peer Company
Base Salary(1)
 Median
Radford
Base Salary(2)
 

Jerry S. Rawls

 $500,000 $599,383 $685,000 

Eitan Gertel

 $500,000 $599,383 $685,000 

Joseph A. Young

 $380,300 $308,014 $293,558 

Todd Swanson

 $320,000 $324,244 $338,475 

Kurt Adzema

 $310,000 $340,000 $397,560 

Mark Colyar

 $303,000 $296,436 $355,000 

(1)
Based on data compiled by Assets Unlimited, Inc. in June 2011 for cash payments to officers with comparable duties at the Peer Companies.

(2)
Based on data from the Radford Executive Survey compiled in June 2011 for cash payments to officers with comparable duties at companies with annual revenues of between $1 billion and $3 billion.

        In June 2011, the Compensation Committee also adopted an executive bonus plan for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012 (the "2012 Plan"). Under the 2012 Plan, the aggregate target bonuses for Messrs. Rawls and Gertel are 100% of their annual base salary, and the aggregate target bonus for each of the other named executive officers is 60% of their annual base salary. The aggregate bonus for each executive officer under the 2012 Plan will be based 50% on Finisar's achievement of pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income targets and 50% on a discretionary determination by the Compensation Committee taking into account the Company's overall financial performance, the applicable executive officer's performance for the fiscal year and such other factors as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. The maximum total bonus payable to each officer under the formula and discretionary components of the 2012 Plan is two times the officer's target bonus. Any bonus amounts earned under the 2012 Plan are expected to be paid in cash. The Compensation Committee believes that achieving the formula-based portion of the target bonuses will be difficult. Achieving or exceeding the pre-bonus non-GAAP operating income targets will be dependent upon realizing revenue and operating income growth in the face of operational challenges and an environment of economic uncertainty. It will also be dependent on increased sales of our customers' products over which we have no control. Finisar has


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achieved or exceeded the non-GAAP operating income called for in its original annual operating plan in two of its last five fiscal years.

        In connection with its review of executive officer compensation in June 2011, the Compensation Committee also granted RSUs to each of our executive officers. The RSUs vest in annual installments over a four-year period, subject to the officers' continued service. The number of shares of our common stock underlying the RSUs granted to the named executive officers were calculated by dividing the following dollar values by the greater of (i) the closing sale price of our common stock on the date of grant and (ii) $15.00, with such amount rounded to the nearest whole share:

Name
 Value of RSU Shares 

Jerry S. Rawls

 $1,800,000 

Eitan Gertel

 $1,800,000 

Joseph A. Young

 $643,000 

Kurt Adzema

 $480,000 

Mark Colyar

 $480,000 

Todd Swanson

 $480,000 

    Executive Retention and Severance Plan

Our executive officers and certain other key executives designated by the Compensation Committee are eligible to participate in the Finisar Executive Retention and Severance Plan adopted by the Compensation Committee in February 2003. The Compensation Committee determined to provide change in control arrangements in order to mitigate some of the risk that exists for executives working in an environment where there is a meaningful possibility that Finisar could be acquired or the subject of another transaction that would result in a change in its control. Finisar’sFinisar's change in control and severance arrangements are intended to attract and retain qualified executives who may have attractive alternatives absent these arrangements. The change in control arrangements are also intended to mitigate potential disincentives to the consideration and execution of an acquisition or similar transaction, particularly where the services of these executive officers may not be required by the acquirer. We believe that our change in control benefits are comparable to the provisions and benefit levels of other companies in our industry which disclose similar plans in their public filings.

Participants in this plan who are executive officers are entitled to receive cash severance payments equal to two years base salary and health and medical benefits for two years in the event their employment is terminated in connection with a change in control of Finisar. In addition, in the event of a change in control, vesting of stock options held by participants in the plan will be accelerated by one year, if the options are assumed by the acquiring company. If the options are not assumed by the acquirer, or if the participant’sparticipant's employment is terminated in connection with the change in control, vesting of the options will be accelerated in full. Upon any other termination of employment, participants are entitled only to accrued salary and any other vested benefits through the date of termination.

Our executive officers who were former officers of Optium are parties to employment agreements and equity incentive agreements that they entered into with Optium and that were assumed by Finisar in connection with the Optium merger. See “Potential"Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control”Control" below. Benefits to these officers under the Executive Retention and Severance Plan will be reduced by the amount of comparable benefits to which they are entitled under such agreements.

    Accounting for Executive Compensation

We account for equity compensation paid to our employees under FASB ASCthe rules of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, which requiresrequire us to


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measure and record an expense over the service period of the award. Accounting rules also require us to record cash compensation as an expense at the time the obligation is incurred.

    Tax Considerations

The Compensation Committee intends to consider the impact of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code in determining the mix of elements of future executive compensation. This section limits the deductibility of non-performance based compensation paid to each of Finisar’sFinisar's named executive officers to $1 million annually. The equity awards granted to our executive officers are intended to be treated as performance-based compensation, which is exempt from the limitation on deductibility under current federal tax law. The Compensation Committee reserves the right to provide for compensation to executive officers that may not be fully deductible.


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Report of the Compensation Committee

We have reviewed and discussed with management the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis.Analysis and discussed it with management. Based on such reviewsreview and discussions, we have recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual report.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE



Michael C. Child (Chair)
Robert N. Stephens
Dominique Trempont
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
David C. Fries (Chair)
Michael C. Child
Robert N. Stephens
Dominique Trempont


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Summary Compensation Information

The following table presents certain summary information concerning compensation paid or accrued by us for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended April 30, 20102011 for (i) our Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer and each of the executives who served as our Chief Financial Officer during the year and (ii) our three other most highly compensated executives (determined as of April 30, 2010)2011) (collectively, the “named"named executive officers”officers"):


Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 20102011

                         
        Non-Equity
    
  Fiscal
     Incentive Plan
 Equity
  
Name and Principal Position
 Year Salary Bonus Compensation Awards(1) Total(1)
 
Jerry S. Rawls(2)
  2010  $420,092     $133,200  $1,063,108  $1,616,400 
Chairman of the Board  2009   438,881         367,950   806,831 
   2008   418,269  $100,000      779,520   1,297,789 
Eitan Gertel(3)
  2010   420,092      133,200   621,496   1,174,789 
Chief Executive Officer  2009   293,516         263,052   556,568 
Kurt Adzema(4)
  2010   264,923      84,000   247,589   596,512 
Senior Vice President,                        
Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
                        
Stephen K. Workman(5)
  2010   257,354      81,600   380,795   719,749 
Senior Vice President,  2009   263,892         83,558   347,450 
Corporate Development and
Investor Relations
  2008   257,310   40,000      146,160   443,470 
Mark Colyar(6)
  2010   266,957      84,645   410,757   762,359 
Senior Vice President,  2009   185,062         135,703   320,765 
Operations and
Engineering
                        
Todd Swanson
  2010   257,354      81,600   470,624   809,578 
Senior Vice President,
Sales and Marketing
                        
Joseph A. Young
  2010   335,885      106,500   471,978   914,363 
Senior Vice President,  2009   344,548         173,938   518,486 
Operations and Engineering  2008   335,961   75,000      389,760   800,721 
Name and Principal Position
 Fiscal
Year
 Salary Bonus Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
 Equity
Awards(1)
 Total(1) 

Jerry S. Rawls(2)

  2011 $459,711 $ $538,505 $1,796,564 $2,794,780 
 

Chairman of the Board

  2010  420,092    133,200  1,063,108  1,616,400 

  2009  438,881      367,950  806,831 

Eitan Gertel(3)

  
2011
  
459,711
  
  
538,505
  
1,796,564
  
2,794,780
 
 

Chief Executive Officer

  2010  420,092    133,200  621,496  1,174,789 

  2009  293,516      263,052  556,568 

Kurt Adzema(4)

  
2011
  
292,385
  
  
205,712
  
503,680
  
1,001,777
 
 

Executive Vice President, Finance

  2010  264,923    84,000  247,589  596,512 
 

and Chief Financial Officer

                   

Mark Colyar(5)

  
2011
  
292,134
  
  
205,317
  
503,680
  
1,001,131
 
 

Senior Vice President, Operations

  2010  266,957    84,645  410,757  762,359 
 

and Engineering

  2009  185,062      135,703  320,765 

Todd Swanson(6)

  
2011
  
284,031
  
  
199,834
  
503,680
  
987,545
 
 

Executive Vice President, Sales

  2010  257,354    81,600  470,624  809,578 
 

and Marketing

                   

Joseph A. Young

  
2011
  
367,562
  
  
258,329
  
674,805
  
1,300,696
 
 

Executive Vice President, Global

  2010  335,885    106,500  471,978  914,363 
 

Operations

  2009  344,548  ���    173,938  518,486 

(1)
Includes stock option and RSU awards. Valuation based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used by us with respect to the valuation of option grants are set forth in "Finisar Corporation Consolidated Financial Statements—Notes to Financial Statements—Note 18—Stockholders' Equity" included in our annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2011. As a result of changes in SEC disclosure rules, amounts reported in the table for equity awards in fiscal 2009 differ from amounts previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the same person for that year.

(2)
Mr. Rawls also served as our President and Chief Executive officer until the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008.

(3)
Mr. Gertel became our Chief Executive Officer upon the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008.

(4)
Mr. Adzema became our Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in March 2010 and has served as our Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer since January 2011.

(1)Includes stock option and RSU awards. Valuation based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used by us with respect to the valuation of option grants are set forth in “Finisar Corporation Consolidated Financial Statements — Notes to Financial Statements — Note 17 — Stockholders’ Equity” included in our annual report onForm 10-K for fiscal 2010. As a result of recent changes in SEC disclosure rules, amounts reported in the table for equity awards in fiscal 2008 and 2009 differ from amounts previously reported in the Summary Compensation Tables for the same person in those years.
(2)Mr. Rawls also served as our President and Chief Executive officer until the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008.
(3)Mr. Gertel became our Chief Executive Officer upon the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008.
(4)Mr. Adzema became our Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in March 2010.
(5)Mr. Workman served as our Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer until March 2010, when he was appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations. Mr. Workman has announced his resignation from the Company to be effective on or about September 24, 2010.
(6)Mr. Colyar became our Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering upon the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008.


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Table of Contents

(5)
Mr. Colyar became our Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering upon the completion of the Optium merger in August 2008.

(6)
Mr. Swanson's bonus for fiscal 2011 was paid through a combination of $100,000 in cash and the grant of 6,656 RSUs with a value of $99,834 on the date of grant.


Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to options and RSUs granted during or for the year ended April 30, 20102011 to each of our named executive officers.


Grants of Plan-Based Awards in or for Fiscal 20102011

                                
           All Other
     
         All Other
 Option
 Exercise
 Grant
 
         Stock
 Awards:
 or Base
 Date Fair
 
   Estimated Future Payouts
 Awards:
 Number of
 Price of
 Value of
 
   Under Non-Equity Incentive
 Number of
 Securities
 Option
 Stock and
   
  
  
  
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
 All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
 Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Share)
  
 
 Grant
 Plan Awards(1) Shares of
 Underlying
 Awards
 Option
   
 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
 Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards ($)
 
Name
 Date Threshold Target Maximum Stock or Units Options ($/Share) Awards ($)  Grant Date Threshold Target Maximum 
Jerry S. Rawls       $444,000  $444,000                $461,760      
  12/8/2009               76,250   8.29   430,996 
  12/8/2009            76,250         632,113  6/15/2010    114,140   $1,796,564 
Eitan Gertel        444,000   444,000              
 
 
461,760
 
 
 
 
 
 
  12/8/2009               44,576   8.29   251,961  6/15/2010    114,140   1,796,564 
  12/8/2009            44,576         369,535 
Kurt Adzema        280,000   280,000              
 
 
176,400
 
 
 
 
 
 
  12/8/2009               17,758   8.29   100,375 
  12/8/2009            17,758         147,214 
Stephen K. Workman        272,000   272,000             
  12/8/2009               27,312   8.29   154,378 
  12/8/2009            27,312         226,416  6/15/2010    32,000   503,680 
Mark Colyar        282,150   282,150              
 
 
176,062
 
 
 
 
 
 
  12/8/2009               29,461   8.29   166,525  6/15/2010    32,000   503,680 
  12/8/2009            29,461         244,232 
Todd Swanson        272,000   272,000                  
170,419
           
  12/8/2009               56,052   8.29   316,828 
  12/8/2009            18,552         153,796  6/15/2010       32,000     503,680 
Joseph A. Young        355,000   355,000              
 
 
221,520
 
 
 
 
 
 
  12/8/2009               33,852   8.29   191,345  6/15/2010    42,872   674,805 
  12/8/2009            33,852         280,633 

(1)
Represents the dollar value of the applicable range (threshold, target and maximum amounts) of potential cash bonuses payable to each named executive officer for fiscal 2011 under the executive officer bonus plan for fiscal 2011 (the "2011 Plan"). There was not an established maximum bonus under the 2011 Plan. If the Company exceeded certain targets the amount of the quantitative bonus could exceed the aggregate target bonus for each named executive officer. Additional information regarding the 2011 Plan is set forth above under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The actual amount paid to each executive officer for fiscal 2011 is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation."

(1)Represents the dollar value of the applicable range (threshold, target and maximum amounts) of potential cash bonuses payable to each named executive officer for fiscal 2010 under the executive officer bonus plan for fiscal 2010 (the “Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan”). Additional information regarding the Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan is set forth above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The actual amount paid to each executive officer for fiscal 2010 is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”


25


Table of Contents


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizes the number of securities underlying outstanding equity awards for each of our named executive officers as of the end of our fiscal year on April 30, 2010.2011. Unless otherwise specified, options vest at a rate of 20% over five years from the date of grant. Market value for RSUs is determined by multiplying the number of shares by the closing price of Finisar common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the last trading day of the fiscal year ($14.9628.09 on April 30, 2010)29, 2011).

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 20102011

 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 Exercise
Price per
Share
 Expiration
Date
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market Value or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested
 

Jerry S. Rawls

  124,999   $13.84  6/7/2012       

  25,000    15.60  8/27/2013       

  50,000    15.36  6/2/2014       

  62,499  (1) 9.76  6/8/2015       

  40,000  9,999(2) 37.04  6/6/2016       

  30,000  20,000(3) 21.68  9/7/2017       

  118,909  40,199(4) 3.36  12/12/2018       

  14,063  30,937(5) 8.29  12/8/2019       

  11,719  19,531(6) 8.29  12/8/2019       

              30,937(7)$869,020 

              19,531(8) 548,626 

              114,140(16) 3,206,193 

Eitan Gertel

  
205,308
  

(9)

$

0.64
  
4/30/2013
       

  47,768  (9) 1.36  6/22/2015       

  97,843  (9) 6.88  2/13/2016       

  32,614  (9) 7.36  3/13/2016       

  88,841  (10) 26.64  2/28/2017       

  80,124  31,250(4) 3.36  12/12/2018       

  4,164  9,162(5) 8.29  12/8/2019       

  11,719  20,404(6) 8.29  12/8/2019       

              9,162(7)$257,361 

              19,531(8) 548,626 

              114,140(16) 3,206,193 

Kurt Adzema

  
12,499
  
  
14.08
  
11/23/2015
       

  9,374  (11) 24.80  9/8/2016       

  543  135(12) 25.68  3/8/2017       

  7,500  5,000(3) 21.68  9/7/2017       

  1  1,406(13) 10.08  9/11/2018       

  1  4,710(4) 3.36  12/12/2018       

  1  3,615(5) 8.29  12/8/2019       

    7,813(6) 8.29  12/8/2019       

              1,314(14)$36,910 

              3,615(7) 101,545 

              7,812(8) 219,439 

              32,000(16) 898,880 
                         
              Stock Awards 
                 Equity Incentive
 
                 Plan Awards:
 
              Equity Incentive
  Market Value
 
              Plan Awards:
  or Payout
 
              Number of
  Value of
 
  Option Awards  Unearned Shares,
  Unearned Shares,
 
     Number of Securities
        Units or
  Units or
 
  Number of Securities
  Underlying
        Other Rights
  Other Rights
 
  Underlying
  Options (#)
  Exercise Price
  Expiration
  That Have
  That Have
 
Name
 Options (#)  Unexercisable  per Share  Date  Not Vested  Not Vested 
 
Jerry S. Rawls  124,999     $13.84   6/7/2012         
   25,000      15.60   8/27/2013         
   50,000      15.36   6/2/2014         
   50,000   12,499(1)  9.76   6/8/2015         
   30,000   19,999(2)  37.04   6/6/2016         
   20,000   30,000(3)  21.68   9/7/2017         
   77,536   81,572(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      45,000(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      31,250(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   45,000(7) $673,200 
                   31,250(8)  467,500 
Eitan Gertel  205,308   (9) $0.64   4/30/2013         
   81,536   (9)  1.36   6/22/2015         
   97,843   (9)  6.88   2/13/2016         
   32,614   (9)  7.36   3/13/2016         
   68,482   20,359(10)  26.64   2/28/2017         
   50,685   60,689(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      13,326(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      31,250(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   13,326(7) $199,357 
                   31,250(8)  467,500 
Kurt Adzema  36,562     $10.16   4/18/2015         
   12,499      14.08   11/23/2015         
   7,499   1,875(11)  24.80   9/8/2016         
   407   271(12)  25.68   3/8/2017         
   5,000   7,500(3)  21.68   9/7/2017         
   1,406   2,344(13)  10.08   9/11/2018         
   8,469   10,991(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      5,258(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      12,500(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   2,1890(14) $32,747 
                   5,258(7)  78,660 
                   12,500(8)  187,000 
Stephen K. Workman  12,499     $14.40   6/19/2013         
   8,124      14.40   6/19/2013         
   24,999      14.40   6/19/2013         
   9,374      15.60   8/27/2013         
   25,000      15.36   6/2/2014         
   5,625   3,750(2)  37.04   6/6/2016         
   3,752   5,622(3)  21.68   9/7/2017         
   28,285   28,079(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      14,812(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      12,500(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   14,812(7) $221,588 
                   12,500(8)  187,000 
Mark Colyar  44,029   (9) $0.64   4/30/2013         
   13,046   (9)  1.04   2/28/2014         
   29,352   (9)  1.20   4/4/2015         
   71,752   (9)  11.84   4/13/2016         
   19,007   5,649(15)  26.64   2/28/2017         
   28,210   28,248(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      14,461(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      15,000(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   14,461(7) $216,337 
                   15,000(8)  224,400 


26Table of Contents


                         
              Stock Awards 
                 Equity Incentive
 
                 Plan Awards:
 
              Equity Incentive
  Market Value
 
              Plan Awards:
  or Payout
 
              Number of
  Value of
 
  Option Awards  Unearned Shares,
  Unearned Shares,
 
     Number of Securities
        Units or
  Units or
 
  Number of Securities
  Underlying
        Other Rights
  Other Rights
 
  Underlying
  Options (#)
  Exercise Price
  Expiration
  That Have
  That Have
 
Name
 Options (#)  Unexercisable  per Share  Date  Not Vested  Not Vested 
 
Todd Swanson  6,250     $14.32   8/25/2013         
   3,750      9.60   8/16/2014         
      2,500(16)  8.32   8/10/2015         
   6,249      14.08   11/23/2015         
   3,000   750(11)  24.80   9/8/2016         
   408   271(12)  25.68   3/8/2017         
   1,201   1,798(3)  21.68   9/7/2017         
   300   450(17)  14.88   12/10/2017         
   338   562(13)  10.08   9/11/2018         
   7,655   19,633(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      3,552(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      52,500(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   526(14) $7,869 
                   3,552(7)  53,138 
                   15,000(8)  224,400 
Joseph A. Young  49,999     $11.76   10/29/2014         
   20,000   5,000(1)  9.76   6/8/2015         
   15,001   9,999(2)  37.04   6/6/2016         
   408   270(12)  25.68   3/8/2017         
   10,001   14,999(3)  21.68   9/7/2017         
   36,315   36,180(4)  3.36   12/12/2018         
      15,102(5)  8.29   12/8/2019         
      18,750(6)  8.29   12/8/2019         
                   15,102(7) $225,926 
                   18,750(8)  280,500 
 
 Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 Exercise
Price per
Share
 Expiration
Date
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested
 Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market Value or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested
 

Mark Colyar

  4,622  (10) 26.64  2/28/2017       

  12,107  12,106(4) 3.36  12/12/2018       

  4,519  9,942(5) 8.29  12/8/2019       

  5,626  9,374(6) 8.29  12/8/2019       

              9,942(7)$279,271 

              9,375(8) 263,344 

              32,000(16) 898,880 

Todd Swanson

  
6,250
  
 
$

14.32
  
8/25/2013
       

  6,249    14.08  11/23/2015       

  3,750  (11) 24.80  9/8/2016       

  544  135(12) 25.68  3/8/2017       

  1,801  1,198(3) 21.68  9/7/2017       

  450  300(15) 14.88  12/10/2017       

  563  337(13) 10.08  9/11/2018       

  15,877  8,414(4) 3.36  12/12/2018       

  1,110  2,442(5) 8.29  12/8/2019       

  19,687  32,813(6) 8.29  12/8/2019       

              318(14)$8,933 

              2,442(7) 68,596 

              9,375(8) 263,344 

              32,000(16) 898,880 

Joseph A. Young

  
49,999
  
 
$

11.76
  
10/29/2014
       

  25,000  (1) 9.76  6/8/2015       

  20,001  4,999(2) 37.04  6/6/2016       

  543  135(12) 25.68  3/8/2017       

  15,001  9,999(3) 21.68  9/7/2017       

  56,989  15,506(4) 3.36  12/12/2018       

  4,719  10,383(5) 8.29  12/8/2019       

  7,032  11,718(6) 8.29  12/8/2019       

              10,383(7)$291,658 

              11,718(8) 329,159 

              42,872(16) 1,204,274 

(1)
The option was granted on June 8, 2005 and became fully vested on June 8, 2010.

(2)
The option was granted on June 2, 2006 and became fully vested on June 2, 2011.

(3)
The option was granted on September 7, 2007 and will become fully vested on September 7, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(4)
The option was granted on December 12, 2008. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on August 12, 2009 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on August 12, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(5)
The option was granted on December 8, 2009. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on December 8, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on December 8, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(6)
The option was granted on December 8, 2009. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on September 1, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 1, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(7)
The RSU was granted on December 8, 2009. The RSU vested as to 25% of the shares on December 8, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on December 8, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(1)The option was granted on June 8, 2005 and became fully vested on June 8, 2010.
(2)The option was granted on June 2, 2006 and will become fully vested on June 2, 2011, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(3)The option was granted on September 7, 2007 and will become fully vested on September 7, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(4)The option was granted on December 12, 2008. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on August 12, 2009 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on August 12, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(5)The option was granted on December 8, 2009. The option will become exercisable as to 25% of the shares on December 8, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on December 8, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(6)The option was granted on December 8, 2009. The option will become exercisable as to 25% of the shares on September 1, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 1, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(7)The RSU was granted on December 8, 2009. The RSU will vest as to 25% of the shares on December 8, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on December 8, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(8)The RSU was granted on December 8, 2009. The RSU will vest as to 25% of the shares on September 1, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 1, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(9)The option was granted by Optium and was assumed by us upon the closing of the Optium merger.
(10)The option was granted by Optium and was assumed by us upon the closing of the Optium merger. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on March 1, 2008 and vests monthly thereafter, to be fully vested

27



on March 1, 2011, assuming continued employment with Finisar. The terms of this stock option award also provide for the acceleration of vesting of (a) 25% of the shares subject to the original grant (or 100% of the remaining unvested portion if less) following termination without Cause or for Constructive Termination prior to an Acquisition (each term as defined in the optionee’s employment agreement) and (b) 100% of the remaining unvested portion following termination of employment without Cause or for Constructive Termination within one year of an Acquisition (each term as defined in the optionee’s employment agreement).
(11)The option was granted on September 8, 2006. The option became exercisable as to 20% of the shares on September 8, 2006 and vests annually with respect to an additional 20% of the shares, to be fully vested on September 8, 2010, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(12)The option was granted on March 8, 2007 and will become fully vested on March 8, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(13)The option was granted on September 11, 2008. The option become exercisable as to 25% of the shares on September 11, 2009 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 11, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(14)The RSU was granted on September 11, 2008. The RSU vested as to 25% of the shares on September 11, 2009 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 11, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.
(15)The option was granted by Optium and was assumed by us upon the closing of the Optium merger. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on March 1, 2008 and vests monthly thereafter, to be fully vested on March 1, 2011, assuming continued employment with Finisar. The terms of this stock option award also provide for the acceleration of vesting of 25% of the shares subject to the original grant (or 100% of the remaining unvested portion if less) following termination of employment without Cause or for Constructive Termination within one year of an Acquisition (each term as defined in the Optium option plan or any superseding employment agreement).
(16)The option was granted on August 10, 2005 and became fully vested on June 27, 2010.
(17)The option was granted on December 10, 2007 and will become fully vested on December 10, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

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(8)
The RSU was granted on December 8, 2009. The RSU vested as to 25% of the shares on September 1, 2010 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 1, 2013, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(9)
The option was granted by Optium and was assumed by Finisar upon the closing of the Optium merger.

(10)
The option was granted by Optium, was assumed by Finisar upon the closing of the Optium merger and became fully vested on March 1, 2011.

(11)
The option was granted on September 8, 2006 and became fully vested on September 8, 2010.

(12)
The option was granted on March 8, 2007 and will become fully vested on March 8, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(13)
The option was granted on September 11, 2008. The option became exercisable as to 25% of the shares on September 11, 2009 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 11, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(14)
The RSU was granted on September 11, 2008. The RSU vested as to 25% of the shares on September 11, 2009 and vests with respect to an additional 6.25% of the shares on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 11, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(15)
The option was granted on December 10, 2007 and will become fully vested on December 10, 2012, assuming continued employment with Finisar.

(16)
The RSU was granted on June 15, 2010. The RSU vested as to 25% of the shares on June 23, 2011 and vests with respect to an additional 25% of the shares on each of the next three yearly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on June 23, 2014, assuming continued employment with Finisar.


Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information on stock option exercises by our named executive officers and vesting of RSUs held by them during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.

2011.


Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal 20102011

                
 Option Awards Restricted Stock Unit Awards
 Number of
   Number of
  
 Shares
 Value
 Shares
 Value
 Acquired
 Realized
 Acquired
 Realized
 Option Awards Restricted Stock Unit Awards 
Name
 on Exercise (#) on Exercise(1) on Vesting (#) on Vesting(2) Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise (#)
 Value
Realized
on Exercise(1)
 Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting (#)
 Value
Realized
on Vesting(2)
 
Jerry S. Rawls        6,725  $85,744    25,782 $602,304 
Eitan Gertel        21,892   189,863  33,678 $866,825 15,883 333,048 
Kurt Adzema  5,662  $76,097   5,548   45,902  59,983 725,178 7,206 149,886 
Stephen K. Workman        4,125   52,594 
Mark Colyar        11,124   101,522  210,458 3,481,382 10,144 228,407 
Todd Swanson  22,769   292,575   4,439   55,384  9,247 184,789 6,943 139,779 
Joseph A. Young        5,375   68,531    11,751 260,245 

(1)
Based on the difference between the closing sale price of Finisar's common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price.

(2)
Based on the closing sale price of Finisar's common stock on the vesting date.
(1)Based on the difference between the closing sale price of Finisar’s common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price.
(2)Based on the closing sale price of Finisar’s common stock on the vesting date.


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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

    Cash Payments and/or Acceleration of Vesting Following Certain Termination Events

We have employment agreements with Eitan Gertel and Mark Colyar as well as a stock option agreement with each of them, that provide for cash paymentsand/or acceleration of vesting following certain termination events. Except as described below and in “— "—Executive Retention and Severance Plan," no named executive officer is entitled to any cash paymentsand/or acceleration of vesting following a change in control of Finisar unless a termination event also occurs.


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The tables below set forth the cash payments and the intrinsic value (that is, the value based upon our stock price on April 30, 2010, minus any exercise price) of any equity incentives subject to acceleration of vesting that Messrs. Gertel and Colyar would be entitled to receive in the event that such executive officer (i) had been terminated by us without cause on April 30, 2010,2011, (ii) had resigned following a demotion, reduction in base salary or involuntary relocation, referred to as a resignation for good reason, on April 30, 20102011 or (iii) had been terminated as the result of death or disability. The value of the acceleration of vesting of equity incentives as of April 30, 2010 utilizes a per share value of our common stock of $14.96, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 30, 2010. In each case, the amounts set forth in the tables below are subject to any deferrals required under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal"Internal Revenue Code”Code"), and do not include any life insurance proceeds in the event of death or disability benefits in the event of disability.

Eitan Gertel.    Mr. Gertel, our Chief Executive Officer, executed an employment agreement with Optium on April 14, 2006, which was assumed by us at the time of the Optium merger and was amended and restated effective December 31, 2008. The initial term of the agreement was three years, provided that the term of the agreement is automatically extended for an additional term of one year on the third anniversary and each subsequent anniversary of the commencement date unless either party gives not less than 90 days notice prior to the expiration of the term that it does not wish to extend the agreement. The agreement entitles Mr. Gertel to a base salary of $444,000,$461,760, subject to adjustment as provided in the agreement, and other incentive compensation as determined by the board of directors. In the event that Mr. Gertel is terminated without cause or if we give notice that we do not intend to extend the employment agreement, we will be obligated to pay him one year severance, which in all cases includes base salary, bonus as calculated in the agreement and accrued paid time off. In addition, if he resigns for good reason, we will be obligated to pay him one year severance. A partially vested stock option held by Mr. Gertel that was also assumed in connection with the Optium merger provides for the acceleration of vesting of all or a portion of the unvested options upon any of the termination events described above.

Payments and benefits
 Involuntary
termination
without cause
 Voluntary
termination
for
good reason
 Termination
upon death
 Termination
upon
disability
 

Cash severance

 $807,772 $807,772 $ $ 

Health care benefits

  20,229  20,229  20,229  20,229 
          

Total

 $828,001 $828,001 $20,229 $20,229 
          
                 
  Involuntary
  Voluntary
     Termination
 
  Termination
  Termination for
  Termination
  upon
 
Payments and Benefits
 without Cause  Good Reason  upon Death  Disability 
 
Cash severance $690,340  $690,340  $  $ 
Health care benefits  19,808   19,808   19,808   19,808 
Acceleration of options  0(1)  0(1)      
                 
Total $710,148  $710,148  $19,808  $19,808 
                 
(1)The exercise price of the option subject to acceleration was greater than the closing sales price of Finisar common stock on April 30, 2010, which was $14.96 per share.

Mark Colyar.    Mr. Colyar, our Senior Vice President, Operations and Engineering, executed an employment agreement with Optium on April 14, 2006, which was assumed by us at the time of the Optium merger and was amended and restated effective December 31, 2008. The initial term of the agreement was two years, provided that the term of the agreement is automatically extended for an additional term of one year on the second anniversary and each subsequent anniversary of the commencement date unless either party gives not less than 90 days notice prior to the expiration of the term that it does not wish to extend the agreement. The agreement entitles Mr. Colyar to a base salary of $281,500,$293,436, subject to adjustment as provided in the agreement, and other incentive compensation as determined by the board of directors. In the event that Mr. Colyar is terminated without cause or if we give notice


29


that we do not intend to extend the employment agreement, we will be obligated to pay him one year severance, which in all cases includes base salary, bonus as calculated in the agreement and accrued paid time off. A partially vested stock option held by Mr. Colyar that was also assumed in connection with the Optium merger provides for the acceleration

Payments and benefits
 Involuntary
termination
without cause
 Voluntary
termination
for
good reason
 Termination
upon death
 Termination
upon
disability
 

Cash severance

 $424,516 $424,516 $ $ 

Health care benefits

  20,229  20,229  20,229  20,229 
          

Total

 $444,745 $444,745 $20,229 $20,229 
          

Table of vesting of all or a portion of the unvested options upon any of the termination events described above.

                 
  Involuntary
  Voluntary
     Termination
 
  Termination
  Termination for
  Termination
  upon
 
Payments and Benefits
 without Cause  Good Reason  upon Death  Disability 
 
Cash severance $360,126  $  $  $ 
Health care benefits  19,808   19,808   19,808   19,808 
Acceleration of options  0(1)  0(1)      
                 
Total $379,934  $19,808  $19,808  $19,808 
                 
(1)The exercise price of the option subject to acceleration was greater than the closing sales price of Finisar common stock on April 30, 2010, which was $14.96 per share.
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    Executive Retention and Severance Plan

Our executive officers, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in the Finisar Executive Retention and Severance Plan. This plan provides that in the event of a qualifying termination each of the participating executives will be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to two years’years' base salary (excluding bonus) and (ii) medical, dental and insurance coverage for two years, or reimbursement of premiums for COBRA continuation coverage during such period. A qualifying termination is defined as an involuntary termination other than for cause or a voluntary termination for good reason upon or within 18 months following a change in control, as such terms are defined in the plan. In addition, the plan provides that the vesting of stock options and RSUs held by eligible officers will be accelerated as follows: (i) one year of accelerated vesting upon a change of control, if the options are assumed by a successor corporation, (ii) 100% accelerated vesting if the options are not assumed by a successor corporation, and (iii) 100% accelerated vesting upon a qualifying termination. In the event the employment of any of our named executive officers were to be terminated without cause or for good reason, within 18 months following a change in control of Finisar, each as of April 30, 2010,2011, the named executive officers would be entitled to payments in the amounts set forth opposite their name in the following table:

Name
Cash Severance

Jerry S. Rawls

 $37,71739,476 per month for 24 months

Eitan Gertel

 $38,93540,166 per month for 24 months

Kurt Adzema

 $24,93325,961 per month for 24 months
Stephen K. Workman

Mark Colyar

 $23,87726,139 per month for 24 months
Mark Colyar

Todd Swanson

 $25,44824,992 per month for 24 months
Todd Swanson

Joseph A. Young

 $24,14532,227 per month for 24 months
Joseph A. Young$31,183 per month for 24 months

Benefits to Messrs. Gertel and Colyar under the Executive Retention and Severance Plan will be reduced by the amount of comparable benefits to which they are entitled under the employment agreements described above.

We are not obligated to make any cash payments to these executives if their employment is terminated by us for cause or by the executive other than for good reason. No severance or benefits are provided for any of the executive officers in the event of death or disability. A change in control does not affect the amount or timing of these cash severance payments.


30


In the event the employment of any of our named executive officers were to be terminated without cause or for good reason within 18 months following a change in control of Finisar, each as of


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April 30, 2010,2011, the named executives would be entitled to accelerated vesting of their outstanding stock options and RSUs as described in the following table:

Name
Value of Equity Awards:(1)
Jerry S. Rawls Accelerated vesting of 220,320120,666 options with a value of $1,519,818$2,121,588 and 76,250164,608 RSUs with a value of $1,140,700.$4,623,839.

Eitan Gertel

 

Accelerated vesting of 125,62459,943 options with a value of $1,001,314$1,340,934 and 44,576142,833 RSUs with a value of $666,857.$4,012,179.

Kurt Adzema

 

Accelerated vesting of 40,73922,679 options with a value of $252,531$400,450 and 19,94744,741 RSUs with a value of $298,407.$1,256,775.
Stephen K. Workman
Mark Colyar

 

Accelerated vesting of 64,76331,422 options with a value of $507,887$681,838 and 27,31251,317 RSUs with a value of $408,588.$1,441,495.
Mark Colyar
Todd Swanson

 

Accelerated vesting of 63,35845,639 options with a value of $524,182$924,164 and 29,46144,135 RSUs with a value of $440,737.$1,239,752.
Todd Swanson
Joseph A. Young

 

Accelerated vesting of 82,01664,973 options with a value of $620,988$885,482 and 19,07864,973 RSUs with a value of $285,407.
Joseph A. YoungAccelerated vesting of 100,300 options with a value of $671,481 and 33,852 RSUs with a value of $506,426.$1,825,092.

(1)
Potential incremental gains are net values based on (i) the aggregate difference between the respective exercise prices of options and the closing sale price of Finisar common stock on April 29, 2011 ($28.09 per share) and (ii) the number of shares underlying RSUs multiplied by the closing sale price of Finisar common stock on April 29, 2011.

(1)Potential incremental gains are net values based on (i) the aggregate difference between the respective exercise prices of options and the closing sale price of Finisar common stock on April 30, 2010 ($14.96 per share) and (ii) the number of shares underlying RSUs multiplied by the closing sale price of Finisar common stock on April 30, 2010.


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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to our Code of Ethics, our executive officers, directors and employees are to avoid conflicts of interest, except with the approval of the board of directors. A related party transaction would be a conflict of interest. The board has delegated to the Audit Committee the authority to review and approve related party transactions. In approving or rejecting a proposed transaction, the Audit Committee will consider the relevant facts and circumstances and, if applicable, the impact of the proposed transaction on the director’sdirector's independence. The Audit Committee will approve only those transactions that, in light of known circumstances, are in, or are not inconsistent with, our best interests, as the Audit Committee determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.

Other than as described below and the compensation arrangements and other arrangements described in “Director Compensation”"Director Compensation" and “Executive"Executive Compensation and Related Matters”Matters" above, in our fiscal year ended April 30, 20102011 there were no transactions, and there is not currently proposed any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a party, in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 in which any director, any executive officer, any holder of 5% or more of our capital stock or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Guy Gertel, the brother of Eitan Gertel, our Chief Executive Officer, provided sales and marketing services to Optium through GHG Technologies, a company he owns. Subsequent to the Optium merger in August 2008, GHG Technologies has continued to provide such services to Finisar. For services rendered during fiscal 2010,2011, we paid GHG Technologies $160,000$181,528 in cash compensation. In addition, the CompanyFinisar granted to Guy Gertel, for no additional consideration, 1,1602,150 restricted stock units with a fair market value of $9,616,$33,841, which vest as follows: with respect to 456 of the shares, 25% on September 1, 2010June 23, 2011 and an additional 6.25%25% on each of the next 12 quarterlythree anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on September 1, 2013; and with respect to the remaining 704 shares, 25% on December 8, 2010 and an additional 6.25% on each of the next 12 quarterly anniversaries thereafter, to be fully vested on December 8, 2013, in each caseJune 23, 2014, subject to Mr. Gertel’sGertel's continuing to provide services to Finisar. We believe that the cash payments to GHG were fair and reasonable and were comparable to amounts that which would have been paid to an unaffiliated party in an arms’arms' length transaction. The restricted stock unit awards to GuyMr. Gertel were consistent with the type and size of grants made to our other sales professionals.


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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SHARE OWNERSHIP
BY MANAGEMENT

        The following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 30, 2011 by:

    each of our directors;

    each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2011 in "Executive Compensation and Related Matters" above; and

    all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

        To our knowledge, there are no stockholders who beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock.

 
 Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)
 
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
 Number Percentage 

Directors

       
 

Jerry S. Rawls(2)

  1,285,674  1.39%
 

Eitan Gertel(3)

  824,105  * 
 

Michael C. Child(4)

  8,097  * 
 

Roger C. Ferguson(5)

  33,463  * 
 

Thomas E. Pardun(6)

  7,343  * 
 

Robert N. Stephens(7)

  10,386  * 
 

Dominique Trempont(8)

  29,807  * 

Named Executive Officers :

       
 

Kurt Adzema(9)

  45,775  * 
 

Mark Colyar(10)

  89,649  * 
 

Todd Swanson(11)

  76,036  * 
 

Joseph A. Young(12)

  217,139  * 
 

All executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(13)

  2,727,335  2.95%

*
Less than 1%.

(1)
The address of each of the named individuals is: c/o Finisar Corporation, 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. All shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011 and restricted stock units ("RSUs") that vest within that period are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage of ownership of that person. They are not, however, deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Accordingly, percent ownership is based on 90,793,229 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2011 plus any shares issuable pursuant to options held by the person or group in question which may be exercised within 60 days following September 30, 2011 and RSUs that vest within that period. Except as indicated in the other footnotes to the table and subject to applicable community property laws, based on information provided by the persons named in the table, these persons have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of the common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.

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(2)
Includes 346,648 shares held by The Rawls Family, L.P. Mr. Rawls is the president of the Rawls Management Corporation, the general partner of The Rawls Family, L.P. Includes 534,980 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(3)
Includes (a) 596,248 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011 and (b) 31,907 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant that is currently exercisable.

(4)
Includes 5,061 shares held by the Child Family Trust.

(5)
Includes 21,537 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(6)
Includes 2,917 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(7)
Includes 6,626 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(8)
Includes 22,964 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(9)
Includes 38,247 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(10)
Includes (a) 40,655 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011 and (b) 5,676 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant that is currently exercisable.

(11)
Includes 68,920 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(12)
Includes 206,402 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011.

(13)
Includes (a) 1,636,341 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days following September 30, 2011 and (b) 37,583 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants that are currently exercisable.

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SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such person.

Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us, and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders during the fiscal year ended April 30, 20102011 were satisfied, with the exception of one Form 4 report for each of Christopher J. Crespi, Roger C. Ferguson, David C. Fries, Larry D. Mitchell, Robert N. Stephens and Dominique Trempont, each reporting one transaction, and one Form 4 report for each of Todd Swanson and Joseph A. Young, each reporting two transactions, that were filed late.


32

satisfied.



EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

We currently maintain fourthree compensation plans that provide for the issuance of our common stock to officers, directors, other employees or consultants. These consist of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2009 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, each of which havehas been approved by our stockholders, andstockholders. We previously maintained the 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, or the 2001 Plan, which haswas adopted in February 2001 and was not been approved by our stockholders. No additional options will be granted under the 2001 Plan. The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding options and shares reserved for future issuance under the foregoing plans as of April 30, 2010:2011:

            
     Number of Shares
     Remaining
 Number of Shares
 Weighted-
 Available for
 to be Issued upon
 Average
 Future Issuance
 Exercise of
 Exercise Price
 Under Equity
 Outstanding
 of Outstanding
 Compensation
 Options,
 Options,
 Plans (Excluding
 Warrants and
 Warrants and
 Shares Reflected
 Rights
 Rights
 in Column (a))
Plan Category
 (a) (b) (c) Number of
Shares to be Issued
upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)
 Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)
 Number of Shares
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Shares
Reflected in Column
(a)) (c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders  8,183,136  $11.91   8,062,686(1) 6,822,071 $12.70 10,186,474(1)
Equity compensation plan not approved by stockholders(2)(3)  133,404  $22.50   394,581  
38,818
 
$

21.07
 
 

(1)
Consists of shares available for future issuance under the plans. In accordance with the terms of the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2009 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan will increase by 125,000 shares on May 1 of each calendar year until and including May 1, 2015. In accordance with the terms of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan will increase on May 1 of each calendar year until and including May 1, 2015 by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of the preceding April 30.

(2)
Excludes options assumed by us in connection with acquisitions of other companies. As of April 30, 2011, 778,746 shares of our common stock were issuable upon exercise of these assumed options, at a weighted average exercise price of $11.15 per share. No additional awards may be granted under the plans pursuant to which these assumed equity rights were granted.

(3)
A total of 731,250 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan. As of April 30, 2011, a total of 276,251 shares of common stock had been issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 2001 Plan.

(1)Consists of shares available for future issuance under the plans. In accordance with the terms of the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2009 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan will increase by 125,000 shares on May 1 of each calendar year until and including May 1, 2015. In accordance with the terms of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan will increase on May 1 of each calendar year until and including May 1, 2015 by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of the preceding April 30.
(2)Excludes options assumed by us in connection with acquisitions of other companies. As of April 30, 2010, 1,423,378 shares of our common stock were issuable upon exercise of these assumed options, at a weighted average exercise price of $10.89 per share. No additional options may be granted under the plans pursuant to which these assumed equity rights were granted.
(3)A total of 731,250 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan. As of April 30, 2010, a total of 203,265 shares of common stock had been issued upon the exercise of options granted under the 2001 Plan.

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Material Features of the 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan

As of April 30, 2010, 394,5812011, 38,818 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2001 Plan. The 2001 Plan was adopted by our board on February 16, 2001 and providesprovided for the grantinggrant of nonstatutory stock options to employees and consultants with an exercise price per share not less than 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. However, no person iswas eligible to be granted an option under the 2001 Plan whose eligibility would requirehave required approval of the 2001 Plan by our stockholders. Options granted under the 2001 Plan generally have a ten-year term and vest at the rate of 20% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 20% of the shares each additional year thereafter until fully vested. Some of the options that have been granted under the 2001 Plan are subject to full acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control of Finisar. The term of the 2001 Plan expired in February 2011 and no additional options will be granted under the 2001 Plan.


Table of Contents


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED
AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholder proposals may be included in our proxy materials for an annual meeting so long as they are provided to us on a timely basis and satisfy the other conditions set forth in applicable SEC rules. For a stockholder proposal to be included in our proxy materials for the 20112012 annual meeting, the proposal (in addition to compliance with applicable SEC rules) must be received at our principal executive offices, addressed to the Secretary, not later


33


than MayJune 20, 2011.2012. The advance notice provision in our bylaws states that in order for stockholder business to be properly brought before a meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to our Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder proposal must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar days in advance of the one year anniversary of the date our proxy statement was released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’syear's annual meeting of stockholders; except that (i) if no annual meeting was held in the previous year, (ii) if the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’syear's proxy statement, or (iii) in the event of a special meeting, then notice must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting date was made. Stockholder business that is not intended for inclusion in our proxy materials may be brought before the annual meeting so long as we receive notice of the proposal as specified by our bylaws, addressed to the Secretary at our principal executive offices, not later than the above date. All stockholder proposals should be marked for the attention of the Secretary of Finisar Corporation at 1389 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089.


OTHER MATTERS

At the date of this proxy statement, the board of directors knows of no other business that will be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders of Finisar other than as described in this proxy statement. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

-s- CHRISTOPHER E. BROWN
Christopher E. Brown
Secretary
September 17, 2010


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(FINISAR LOGO)
1389 MOFFETT PARK DRIVE
SUNNYVALE, CA 94089-1133

 GRAPHIC

CHRISTOPHER E. BROWN
Secretary

October 18, 2011


THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: Signature (Joint Owners) Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Date To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0000116129_1 R1.0.0.11699 For Withhold For All All All Except The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees 01 Eitan Gertel 02 Thomas E. Pardun FINISAR CORPORATION 1389 MOFFETT PARK DRIVE SUNNYVALE, CA 94089-1133 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.










(NUMBERS)
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
For
All
Withhold
All
For All
Except
To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the
number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
The Board of Directors recommends a
you vote FOR the following:
ooo
1.Election of Directors
Nominees
01    Jerry S. Rawls02    Robert N. Stephens
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposal:
proposals 2 and 3. ForAgainstAbstain
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Finisar’sFinisar's independent auditorsregistered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011.ooo
2012. 3. To approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of Finisar's named executive officers. The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 YEAR on the following proposal: 1 year 2 years 3 years Abstain 4. To recommend, by a non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of future votes on the compensation of Finisar's named executive officers. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.


Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]DateSignature (Joint Owners)Date

0000116129_2 R1.0.0.11699 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement, Annual Report is/ are available at www.proxyvote.com . FINISAR CORPORATION Annual Meeting of Stockholders November 28, 2011 10:00 AM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Jerry S. Rawls and Kurt Adzema, or either of them, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of Finisar Corporation that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on November 28, 2011, at the offices of DLA Piper LLP (US), 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side



 


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement, Annual Report is/are available at www.proxyvote.com.
(NUMBERS)
FINISAR CORPORATION
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
October 28, 2010 10:00 AM
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Jerry S. Rawls and Kurt Adzema, or either of them, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of Finisar Corporation that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on October 28, 2010, at the offices of DLA Piper LLP (US), 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.
Continued and to be signed on reverse side