Personnel changes at Optimax, a precision optical manufacturer

On November 25th, Optimax, the largest precision optics manufacturer in the United States, announced the appointment of Joseph Spilman as CEO and Pete Kupinski as President.

After developing a comprehensive succession plan, Optimax CEO Rick Plympton will retire along with President and Founder Mike Mandina.
Mandina stepped down in 2021 and passed on the title of CEO to Spilman, strategically appointing him as the CEO. Plympton and Mandina will now serve as company researchers.

Optimax's achievements in 2024 include the launch of Starris: Optimax Space Systems; Expand clean room assembly facilities; And collaborate with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to develop and license integrated telescope technology.

The company continues to innovate and has developed ambitious plans to expand advanced manufacturing and optical systems in markets such as space exploration and astronomy, semiconductors, defense, and healthcare.

Joseph Spilman has been working in the optics and photonics industry for 20 years. He has served as the Sales and Marketing Director at Optimax, a member of the executive team at ArmorLine Corp., and provided NIR and IR laser optical application support for II-VI Inc. (Coherent). He holds a Bachelor's degree in Optics from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Sanders School of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology.

In their positions, Spilman will focus on market strategy, while Kupinski will focus on operations. Optimax's executive team also includes Chief Financial Officer Tom Starin and Chief Technology Officer Mike Hyman.

Kupinski previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Engineering at Optimax. He has been working at Optimax for 13 years, having previously worked at Sony, Kodak, responsible for the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Laser Energy Laboratory at the University of Rochester (UR). He holds an MBA degree from Simon Business School at the University of Rochester and a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Alfred University.

Optimax is a leading enterprise in the field of precision optics in the United States. Since its establishment in 1991, it has been committed to the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of precision optical devices, optical systems, and related technologies. As one of the largest precision optical manufacturers in the United States, Optimax has strong technical capabilities and a research and development team. Its product line is extensive, covering multiple fields such as aerospace, defense, communications, healthcare, and scientific research, providing customers with high-quality optical solutions and customized services.

Source: Yangtze River Delta Laser Alliance