Chairman Michael Birck, a 60-year-old electrical engineer, cofounded Tellabs in 1975 after stints at Bell Labs and two small Chicago-area telecom equipment firms.

FORBES: Survival technique: paranoia

Chairman Michael Birck, 60, an electrical engineer, cofounded Tellabs in 1975 after stints at Bell Labs and two small Chicago-area telecom equipment firms.

FORBES: Survival technique: paranoia

Telecom reform in particular is an important area where Mexico has lagged behind.

FORBES: Upgrade: Mexico's Government Takes Aim At The Telecom Sector