Optics Valley Committee

Mission: To catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and supporting business interests throughout Arizona.

Objective: Since 1992, the Arizona optics community was represented by the Arizona Optics industry Association (AOIA).  At the end of December 2016, AOIA was dissolved as an independent organization and Optics Valley was formed within the Arizona Technology Council.

Committee leadership conducts monthly meetings composed of optics CEOs, representatives from universities and community colleges, plus key stakeholders involved in the optics, photonics, and astronomy sectors throughout the state of Arizona.  The meetings are action-oriented and designed for planning future events, addressing key issues within the optics sector, and serving as an opportunity for business networking.

The Optics Valley Committee annually hosts Arizona Photonics Days. This event is designed to bring together Arizona optics companies and our partners from the Global Photonics Alliance for two days of technical discussions and business-to-business meetings.

Committee Co-Chairs: John Dennis, President and Co-Founder at Strategy1, and Jack Schumann, Retired

Staff Liaison: Jamie Neilson, Director of Operations, Southern Arizona Regional Office, Arizona Technology Council

This committee is open to employees of member companies based anywhere in the state of Arizona. For more information about joining the Optics Valley Committee, please email: [email protected].