Where optics, photonics and astronomy connect and grow.
Welcome to Optics Valley
Arizona is home to world-class businesses and scientific and educational institutions with decades of innovation and leadership in optics, photonics and astronomy. Optics Valley is the industry cluster that helps its members thrive through business acceleration, workforce development, startup support, and connections to local and worldwide opportunities. Optics Valley is a committee of the Arizona Technology Council.
Our mission is to catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and the supporting business interests throughout Arizona.
Optics Valley Resource Directory
Search the Optics Valley Resource Directory to connect with Arizona’s leading suppliers of optics and photonics hardware, software, and services. The world-class services and technologies of these companies span from coatings and films to opto-mechanical and fabrication solutions to lasers and fiber optics – and much more.
Committee Leadership
Optics Valley Chair: Katie Schwertz, Senior Manager of Optical Assemblies and Technology, Edmund Optics
Katie is a dedicated advocate for optics and photonics both locally and globally. She is an optics alumna of both the University of Rochester and the University of Arizona, has published two technical books, and has 15 years of engineering experience in Arizona. Katie has served on the Board of directors for SPIE and excels at forging connections and professional networking. She is passionate about advancing local industry and developing external collaborations.
Past Optics Valley Chair: John Dennis, 2016-2025
Past Optics Valley Co-Chair: Jack Schumann, 2016-2024
Optics Valley Advisory Team Members:
- Erik Novak, Vice President and General Manager, 4D Technology
- Jake Beverage, Chief Operations Officer, Arizona Optical Metrology
- Robert Walker, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Leonardo
- Cade Bradley, Electro-Optical Subsystems Chief Technologist, Raytheon
- Olivia Fehlberg, Business Development Manager, Ruda Optical
- Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Director of Economic Development, Pima County
- Jacquelyne Vega, Project Manager, City of Tucson Office of Economic Initiatives
- Kevin O’Shea, Senior Vice President, International Trade, Arizona Commerce Authority
- John Yoon, Director of Technology Outreach, SPIE
- Greg Wilson, Dean of Applied Technology, Pima Community College
- Ember Goldstein, Director of Development, University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences
- Jill HowardAllen, Director of Industry Engagement, University of Arizona Office of Research and Partnerships
Optics Valley Events
Arizona Photonics Days
The annual Arizona Photonics Days conference brings together Arizona optics companies, our partners from the Global Photonics Alliance and international industry leaders for three days of keynote presentations, technical discussions and business-to-business meetings. It is scheduled in January for our international participants for efficient travel to Arizona and to California for SPIE’s annual Photonics West event and so that attendees can enjoy Tucson’s warm weather. View past conference proceedings — APD 2025, APD 2024, APD 2023, APD 2022, APD 2021
International Day of Light
Optics Valley partners with Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium annually to celebrate the International Day of Light – a global initiative to celebrate the role of light in science, art, culture, education, and sustainable development. It commemorates the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by Theodore Maiman. This FREE community event offers a captivating experience for all ages, featuring optics demonstrations and activities, full dome shows and live presentations by leading members in the optics, photonics, and astronomy industries.
Optics Valley Resources
Resource Directory
Search the Optics Valley Resource Directory to connect with Arizona’s leading suppliers of optics and photonics hardware, software, and services.
Subscribe to FOCUS
Optics Valley FOCUS is a monthly newsletter with news and events for the optics, photonics and astronomy sectors in Arizona.
$4B Economic Impact
Optics, photonics, and astronomy have a $4 billion economic impact in AZ. Read this White Paper about why you should start, relocate or expand your optics business here.
Partners and Alliances
Connect with Global Opportunities
Optics Valley connects members to local and worldwide opportunities through our alliances and collaborations with leading organizations.
With over 40 members, the Global Photonics Alliance facilitates cooperation and collaboration among optics and photonics clusters worldwide.
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology.
The American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association is committed to promoting and advancing opportunities for the precision optics industry.
Optica (formerly OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide.
The National Photonics Institute is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives.
The James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, since its start as the Optical Sciences Center in 1964, has been shaping the future by offering high-quality instruction, cutting-edge research and a solid commitment to the development of the optics industry.
Tech Parks Arizona generates, attracts and retains technology companies and talent in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona.
Tech Launch Arizona moves inventions stemming from university research and technological innovation into the marketplace where they can create lasting social and economic impact.
Pima Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution serving students and employers throughout Pima County in Arizona and beyond.