AIM Photonics Appoints New Executive Director
AIM Photonics announced today that Dr. William W. (Wade) Cook has been appointed Executive Director of the Institute.
“After an extensive search, we know that Wade is the right leader for AIM Photonics,” said Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Acting President at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and chairman of AIM Photonics’ Leadership Council. “His considerable industry experience, combined with his proven leadership skills, will help strengthen AIM Photonics’ position as a technology leader and continue to cultivate the ever-important strategic alliances needed to grow the integrated photonics ecosystem in the U.S.”
AIM Photonics—which is short for the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics—is a public-private partnership of industry and both federal and state governments dedicated to advancing photonic integrated circuit manufacturing in the U.S. by providing cost-effective access to state-of-the-art silicon photonics fabrication, packaging and testing.
Cook has over 20 years’ technology experience in optics and photonics, serving in roles ranging from engineer to manager to executive-level positions, where he developed an aptitude for formulating organizational strategies to increase sales, improve customer relationships, and manage the design and development of photonic devices.
“I’m excited to have this chance to contribute to the growth of an industry that’s so important to the future of New York and the U.S.,” Cook said. “Integrated photonics technologies offer the promise of smaller, better, faster, lighter devices that will significantly improve people’s lives and help ensure our country’s defense readiness.”
“AIM Photonics continues to advance New York State’s leadership in the optics, photonics and imaging industries by attracting forward-thinking innovators from around the globe,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “Wade Cook’s noted experience and leadership will no doubt help AIM to further expand its presence, both statewide and worldwide, and we are incredibly pleased to officially welcome him aboard as the consortium’s new executive director.”
An experienced business leader, Cook is no stranger to the Rochester optics community. He earned his Ph.D. in Optics at the University of Rochester, and spent much of his professional career at some of the region’s leading companies including ITT Industries Space Systems Division, ASE Optics (a division of Rochester Precision Optics), Quality Vision International, and most recently JML Optical Industries. He also served as past president of the Optical Society of America (OSA) Rochester Section, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster. Cook is also an active member of Optica, the Optical Society as well as SPIE, the International Society of Optical Engineers
Cook also served more than 29 years in the U.S. Army, earning a bachelor’s of science degree in Engineering Physics at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point and a master’s of science in Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College. During his military career, he served in both staff and command positions in the U.S., Italy, Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. As a reserve officer, Cook also served as a Nuclear Weapons Effect Analyst and Senior Counter-weapons of Mass Destruction Planner at Ft. Belvoir, as well as a Senior Civil Affairs Planner at the Pentagon.
“Wade’s extensive military background, along with his deep industry knowledge, positions him well to work closely with our wide-ranging constituencies,” said Amie Kaplin, AIM Photonics Deputy Executive Director. “We look forward to bringing Wade on board, to inspire and lead our team and to expand AIM Photonics’ impact on the integrated photonics and advanced packaging ecosystems.”