EXHIBIT 99.1

New Focus, Inc. (ticker: NUFO, exchange: NASDAQ) News Release - 15-Oct-2001

NEW FOCUS ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT CHANGE; R. CLARK HARRIS REPLACES KENNETH E.
WESTRICK AS PRESIDENT AND CEO


     SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct 15, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- New Focus, Inc.,
     (Nasdaq: NUFO), a leading supplier of innovative fiber-optic products for
     next-generation optical networks under the Smart Optics for Networks(TM)
     brand, today announced that Kenneth E. Westrick has resigned as the
     company's president and chief executive officer and as a member of the
     company's board of directors for personal reasons. R. Clark Harris,
     chairman of New Focus' board of directors, has been elected to serve as the
     company's president and chief executive officer. Mr. Westrick will work
     with Mr. Harris on special transition assignments through the end of this
     year.

     Mr. Harris has served as a director of New Focus since December 1998 and as
     the chairman of the board since August 2001. Mr. Harris is also currently a
     partner at NorthEast Ventures, a firm that provides strategic consulting
     and advisory services to high technology companies. Prior to joining
     NorthEast Ventures, he served as president of a major division of Uniphase,
     now JDS Uniphase, for three years. Before joining JDS Uniphase in 1995, Mr.
     Harris spent 19 years at United Technologies Corporation in various
     operating positions, including senior vice president of the Sikorsky
     Aircraft Division.


     "We want to thank Ken for his contributions to New Focus over the past four
     years. Under his leadership New Focus broadened its product offerings into
     the telecommunications market, expanded its worldwide manufacturing
     capabilities, and deepened its research and development efforts.
     Additionally, he strengthened the company's financial resources through
     multiple private and public financings. New Focus completed its initial
     public offering in May 2000 and a secondary public offering in August 2000,
     raising nearly $550 million to finance the company's future development. In
     light of the demands over the past four years, Ken now wishes to spend more
     time with his family and we wish him well," said Harris.


     "The board of directors is very pleased that Clark has accepted an expanded
     role at the company. Clark's extensive operating and management experience
     in the telecommunications and other industries will be invaluable to New
     Focus as the company navigates through the difficult business challenges
     ahead," said Bob Pavey, board member of New Focus and general partner at
     Morgenthaler Ventures.

     About New Focus:

     New Focus designs, manufactures and markets innovative fiber-optic products
     for next-generation optical networks. The company's Smart Optics for
     Networks(TM) products enhance the performance of next-generation optical
     networks by enabling higher channel counts, faster data rates, longer reach
     lengths, new service capabilities, and lower costs of ownership. Founded in
     1990, the company remains a leader in the creation of advanced optical
     products for the commercial and research marketplaces. The company is
     headquartered in San Jose, California and has operations in Camarillo,
     California, Madison, Wisconsin, and Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.


     For more information about New Focus visit the company's Internet home page
     at http://www.newfocus.com, call our Investors Relations Department at
     408-284-NUFO, or e-mail us at investor@newfocus.com.


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     SOURCE New Focus, Inc.

     CONTACT: Julie McHenry of Wilson McHenry Company, +1-415-227-1201,
     jmchenry@wilsonmchenry.com, for New Focus, Inc.; or William L. Potts, Jr.
     of New Focus, Inc., +1-408-284-5184, bpotts@newfocus.com URL:
     http://www.newfocus.com http://www.prnewswire.com