President: Alexandre Y. Fong, M.Sc., MBA, C.Eng., Optronic Laboratories and ChromoDynamics Inc.
afong@olinet.com
Alexandre Fong is Senior Vice-President , Life Sciences and Instrumentation, Optronic Laboratories, Inc. and
ChromoDynamics, Inc. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Experimental Physics from York University in
Toronto, Canada, an MBA from the University of Florida and is a Chartered Engineer. Alex is a published author and
lecturer in the fields of precision light measurement, life sciences imaging, remote sensing, applied optics and lasers, an
active member of the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America (OSA), SPIE—The International Society
for Optical Engineering, International Commission on Illumination CIE), Council for Optical Radiation Measurement and
the Institute of Physics. He is also a member of the OSA Public Policy Committee. Prior to joining Optronic Laboratories,
Inc. Alex held senior business and technical management positions at ITT Industries, Newport Corporation and
Honeywell International. Alex is the current president of the Florida Photonics Cluster.
Vice President: Geoff Burdge, Ph.D., Harris Corporation
gburdge@harris.com
Dr. Burdge is a Senior Scientist at Harris Corporation where his research is focused on free-space laser
communications and fiber optic components for telecommunications. Prior to joining Harris, Dr. Burdge worked at the
National Security Agency (NSA) for over 30 years developing advanced optical techniques and components. While at
NSA, Dr. Burdge was a visiting scientist at the University of Colorado, the University of Southampton, UK and Bell
Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ. Throughout his NSA career, he served as a technical advisor on a number of National
Programs; and as a Senior Executive, he directed NSA’s Laboratory for Physical Sciences. Upon retirement from
NSA, Dr. Burdge helped form Optium Corporation, builder of 10Gbps transponders for telecommunications, where he
served as Vice President for Advanced Components. Optium was acquired by Finisar in 2008. Dr. Burdge received all
of his degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and he is a member of OSA and SPIE, and a
Senior Member of IEEE. Throughout his career he has published more than 60 papers in refereed journals, filed four
patents, served as Program Chair of an OSA Topical Meeting on Spatial Light Modulators, and chaired numerous IEEE
CLEO conference technical sub-committees.
Secretary-Treasurer: Dennis R. Pape, Ph. D., AlphaLaunch
dpape@alphalaunch.com
Dennis R. Pape is President of AlphaLaunch in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with
an A.B. degree and Duke University in Durham, NC with a Ph.D. in Physics. He began his career in the Central
Research Laboratories at Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX where he worked on optically addressed spatial light
modulators. He then became a Group Leader in acousto-optics at Harris Corporation in Melbourne, FL. In 1987 he
founded Photonic Systems Inc. (PSI) in Melbourne, FL. He wrote the business plan for the company and secured
venture capital from a top-tier VC firm. The company developed state-of-the-art optical information processing systems,
primarily for the government. Throughout his technical career he has been involved in advancing the state-of-the-art in
various optical technologies which have resulted in publications in OSA, SPIE, and IEEE journals and presentations at
those societies’ conferences. More recently he has been involved in starting-up new optics companies, both at Milcom
Technologies in Orlando, and now with his own consulting firm, AlphaLaunch.
Voting Board Members
Randy Berridge, Florida High Tech Corridor Council
randy.berridge@floridahightech.com
Randy Berridge serves as the president of Florida High Tech Corridor Council, where he manages a team whose
mission is to attract, retain, and grow high tech industry to Florida’s High Tech Corridor. Other current management roles
he maintains include president of Berridge Consulting Group, and serving as an advisory board member at SunTrust
Bank, N.A. In addition, Mr. Berridge’s community involvement spans the academic arena on the University of Central
Florida’s Foundation Board to economic development commissions in several Central Florida regions and serving on
the Board of Directors of Workforce Florida.
Jason Eichenholz, Ph.D., Ocean Optics, Inc.
jason.eichenholz@oceanoptics.com
Jason Eichenholz is VP of Research & Technology at Ocean Optics, Inc. Eichenholz has more than 15 years of laser
and photonics research and product development experience. He has written more than 30 papers and been granted six
US patents relating to solid-state lasers, displays and photonics devices. A member of SPIE, IEEE-LEOS and OSA, he
chairs the OSA Laser Science and Engineering Technical Group and is a member of the OSA Science and
Engineering Council. Eichenholz earned master's and doctorate degrees in optical sciences and engineering from the
College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida, Center for Research and Education in Optics and
Lasers, and a bachelor's degree in physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
Dennis K. Killinger, Ph.D., University of South Florida
killinge@cas.usf.edu
Dennis K. Killinger is the Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Physics aan expert in laser and optical
remote sensing/Lidar, applied laser spectroscopy, laser physics, and Free Space Optical (FSO) laser communication.
Research includes: radar analysis and microwave atmospheric propagation while employed as a research physicist at
the Naval Avionics Facility, and he was on the research staff at Quantum Electronics at Lincoln Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducting. In 1987, he joined the Physics faculty at the University of South
Florida and is director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric Lidar and Laser Communication Studies, and past Technical
Director of the Technology Deployment Center working on technology transfer for the University and regional industries.
He received a “B.A.” from the University of Iowa, “M.A.” degree from De Pauw University. He also received his Ph.D.
in Physics, from the University of Michigan.
Jennifer Park, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
jennifer.k.park@lmco.com
Jennifer Park is Program Development Manager at Locke Missiles and Fire Control.
Eric Park, Northrop Grumman Laser Systems
eric.park@ngc.com
Eric Park is Chief Engineer, IRCM Sources at Northrop Grumman Laser Systems
Ray Pini, M.S., MBA, LightPath Technologies
rpini@lightpath.com
Ray Pini is currently a Product Manager at LightPath Technologies specializing in molded glass aspheric lenses for the
visible, NIR and LWIR. His undergraduate degree in Physics is from SUNY – Binghamton and his graduate degree in
Physics is from the University of Oregon. He later earned an MBA from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. Ray is
also an expert in designing, building, and marketing complex spectroscopic systems for a variety of techniques including
UV/VIS, Raman, and Fluorescence. Before joining LightPath technologies in 2006, he was the Applications Manager for
HORIBA Jobin Yvon’s Optical Spectroscopy Division.
Gregory J. Quarles, Ph.D., VLOC Inc.
gquarles@vloc.com
Dr. Gregory J. Quarles is currently employed as the Director of Research for VLOC Incorporated, a subsidiary of II-VI
Incorporated. Greg has been with VLOC (and formerly Lightning Optical Corporation) for over 16 years, developing new
solid state laser materials and laser devices for medical, military and industrial applications. Dr. Quarles is a graduate of
Oklahoma State University, where he earned a dual BS (math and physics), an MS and PhD degrees in Physics. Prior
to joining VLOC, Greg was a research physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. While at
NRL, he managed all materials characterization for the Electro-Optics Branch and led a team in the development of
optimized sources for solid state laser systems for IR countermeasures. Greg has been an Associate Editor for Optical
Engineering for seven years and for the IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics for two year. He is also a Fellow of SPIE
and has served as Conference and Symposia Chairman for various laser-related conferences for the Optical Society of
America, the IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society, and SPIE. During his previous 25 years of lasers and materials
research, Dr. Quarles has been awarded five patents related to solid state lasers and has published over 100 peer-
reviewed publications and three books and chapters.
M.J. Soileau, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
mj@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Solieau is Vice President for Research and Professor of Optics, ECE & Physics and provides oversight and
management to the Office of Research and Commercialization at UCF. He began his career as at UCF as Founding
Director of CREOL – the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers in 1987 and led its development into
the School of Optics/CREOL in 1998 before assuming his current duties as Vice President for Research for UCF. Along
with extensive research and development projects, his community involvement in laser/optic and research-based
organizations has enhanced Central Florida’s standing as an international photonics leader. At the University of Southern
California, he received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering/Quantum Electronics and a M.S. in Physics/Optics from the
University of Utah. His research interests include the nonlinear optical properties of materials and laser-induced damage.
He is a Fellow of IEEE, the SPIE--The International Optical Engineering Society, the Optical Society of America, and the
American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. He is the recipient of the SPIE Gold Medal in 2008 and the
Esther Hoffman Beller award from the OSA in 2007.
Eric Ushkowitz, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
eric.ushkowitz@orlandoedc.com
As Director of Technology Business Development, Eric Ushkowitz's main area of responsibility is photonics, biomedical
and life sciences with the focus of retaining, growing and recruiting companies within the high-tech industry. Prior to joining
the EDC, Mr. Ushkowitz spent a year as the Director of Business Development for Odyssey Creative, a local Corporate
Theater and Digital Multimedia Company. In addition he was the Regional Sales Manager for Verizon Wireless, formerly
PrimeCo Personal Communications, for over five years covering the Central Florida area. He was responsible for the
Business to Business sales team covering Orange, Lake, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties for the
largest wireless service provider in the United States. Eric holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Central
Florida, Orlando, FL
Ray Williamson, B.S., Ray Williamson Consulting
raywilliamson@verizon.net.
Throughout his 35 years in the precision optics industry, Ray Williamson has built a reputation as a practical, astute, and
original problem-solver, skilled educator, and multidisciplinary advisor. His main areas of concentration include optical
fabrication, metrology, polarization optics, and system configuration and design. Following his positions as Engineering
Manager and Quality Manager for several well-regarded firms, he has built a consulting practice characterized by
responsiveness, honesty, communication, solution-orientation, and discretion. He has a BS in Physics (Optics
Concentration).
Non-Voting Board Members
FPC Executive Director: Jim Pearson, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
jpearson@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Pearson is Director, Research & Administration, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics and Special
Assistant to Vice President for Research University of Central Florida. He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering &
Physics in 1972 from the California Institute of Technology. In his duties at UCF, he is responsible for marketing and
industry outreach of CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, and for the development and maintenance of effective
relationships with a wide variety of individuals, companies, and organizations for the purpose of establishing research
partnerships and funding in areas of interest to the UCF faculty. He leads the evaluation of selected partnership
opportunities and related proposal efforts, and supports other UCF programs related to the objectives of the UCF Office of
Research and Commercialization. Prior to joining UCF in February 2004, Dr. Pearson held the positions of Executive
Director of ISA – The Instrumentation, Systems, & Automation Society from 1999 – 2004, and Executive Director of
SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering from 1993-1999. From 1976 – 1993, he held several positions
within United Technologies Corporation, including Chief Scientist at United Technologies Research Center, and President
& General Manager of United Technologies Optical Systems. He is a Life Fellow of SPIE, a Fellow of OSA, and a
Senior Member of IEEE.
Alfred Ducharme, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
ducharme@mail.ucf.edu
Alfred Ducharme is Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Engineering Technology at the University of Central Florida. Since
graduating from UCF/CREOL in 1994 with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Alfred Ducharme has led a dynamic
career in photonics and optics. His first patent while working for Senior CREOL Affiliate Physical Sciences, Inc., entitled,
“Integrating Projections Optic,” was developed for the U.S. Department of Defense for testing photovoltaic cells. Following
that, he took a new product development position at Visidyne, Inc., where his research lead to two more patents, the
Digital Phase Processor and the MicroTracker. A form of simple inexpensive lighting control developed by Dr.
Ducharme is now used commercially in venues such as Rain Forest Café as “Retail-tainment.”
Dr. Ducharme now serves as a faculty member of the Engineering Technology Department and has recently worked in
conjunction with Valencia Community College to establish the “Two-Plus-Two” program in photonics which allows
students to earn their A.A. at a community college and then immediately enroll at UCF to earn their B.S. in photonics.
Bahaa Saleh, Ph. D., University of Central Florida
director@creol.ucf.edu
Dr. Saleh is Dean & Director, Professor of Optics, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of
Central Florida and received the B.S. degree from Cairo University in 1966 and the Ph.D. degree from the Johns
Hopkins University in 1971, both in electrical engineering. He held faculty and research positions at the University of Santa
Catarina in Brazil, Kuwait University, Max Planck Institute in Germany, the University of California-Berkeley, the
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Columbia University, University of Vienna, and the University of Wisconsin-
Madison where he was a faculty member from 1977 to 1994 and served as Chairman of the Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering from 1990 to 1994. He was appointed Dean of the College of Optics and Photonics and
Director of CREOL at the University of Central Florida, beginning January 2009. His research contributions cover a
broad spectrum of topics in optics and photonics including statistical and quantum optics, optical communication and
signal processing, nonlinear optics, photodetectors, image processing, and vision. He is the recipient of the 1999 Optical
Society of America Esther Hoffman Beller Award for outstanding contributions to optical science and engineering
education, the 2004 SPIE BACUS award for his contribution to photomask technology, the 2006 Kuwait Prize for his
contributions to optical science, and the 2008 Distinguished Service Award of the Optical Society of America.
Edward Schons, University of Central Florida
eschons@mail.ucf.edu
As the Director of University Economic Development, Ed is directly involved in the creation, attraction and retention of high
technology based companies throughout the UCF’s area of service and that of the Florida’s High Tech Corridor. He has
been actively involved with many economic development organizations in Florida including the Metro-Orlando EDC and
the Tampa Bay Partnership. He works closely with the executive director of the Central Florida Research Park. He has
been an integral part of the Florida High Technology Corridor Council (FHTCC) since 1996 and provides its President,
Randy Berridge with management oversight of corridor activities. Ed is a member of CoreNet Global and serves on the
Orlando Chapter Board. He has been an active member of the Florida Economic Development Council since 1977 and
today serves as a member of this organization’s Executive Committee. He has also been an active member of the
Florida Chamber and is a member of the Board of Governors and is actively involved with the Florida Chamber
Foundation’s “Innovation Caucus. Ed is also a delegate to the Stakeholders Council of Enterprise Florida Inc and is a
member of the Enterprise Florida Legislative Policy Committee. He is a past recipient of the Florida Chamber President’s
Award for Outstanding Service and the Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association's “Leadership Award for Outstanding
Contributions to the Community". Ed is also the recipient of the prestigious "Eunice Sullivan Economic Development
Professional Award" from the Florida Economic Development Council for Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the
Economic Development Profession.
Eric Van Stryland, Ph. D., University of Central Florida
ewvs@creol.ucf.edu
Eric Van Stryland is Professor of Optics, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central
Florida. Dr. Van Stryland received his PhD in Physics from the University of Arizona, Optical Sciences Center in 1976.
He has worked in the areas of optical coherent transients, laser induced damage, femtosecond pulse production,
nonlinear optical (NLO) spectroscopy, NLO Kramers-Kronig relations, and jointly invented Z-scan. In l987 he helped
build CREOL (Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers) at the University of Central Florida. His current
research interests are in the characterization of the nonlinear optical properties of materials and their temporal response
as well as the applications of these nonlinear materials properties for optical switching, beam control etc. He is a fellow of
the Optical Society of America and SPIE. He also served as a topical editor for Optics Letters. He was President of the
Optical Society of America, OSA, in 2006. He graduated 28 Ph.D.'s and is on the ISI ‘highly cited’ list. e is Dean of the
first college devoted to optics in the US, The College of Optics and Photonics.
afong@olinet.com
Alexandre Fong is Senior Vice-President , Life Sciences and Instrumentation, Optronic Laboratories, Inc. and
ChromoDynamics, Inc. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Experimental Physics from York University in
Toronto, Canada, an MBA from the University of Florida and is a Chartered Engineer. Alex is a published author and
lecturer in the fields of precision light measurement, life sciences imaging, remote sensing, applied optics and lasers, an
active member of the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America (OSA), SPIE—The International Society
for Optical Engineering, International Commission on Illumination CIE), Council for Optical Radiation Measurement and
the Institute of Physics. He is also a member of the OSA Public Policy Committee. Prior to joining Optronic Laboratories,
Inc. Alex held senior business and technical management positions at ITT Industries, Newport Corporation and
Honeywell International. Alex is the current president of the Florida Photonics Cluster.
Vice President: Geoff Burdge, Ph.D., Harris Corporation
gburdge@harris.com
Dr. Burdge is a Senior Scientist at Harris Corporation where his research is focused on free-space laser
communications and fiber optic components for telecommunications. Prior to joining Harris, Dr. Burdge worked at the
National Security Agency (NSA) for over 30 years developing advanced optical techniques and components. While at
NSA, Dr. Burdge was a visiting scientist at the University of Colorado, the University of Southampton, UK and Bell
Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ. Throughout his NSA career, he served as a technical advisor on a number of National
Programs; and as a Senior Executive, he directed NSA’s Laboratory for Physical Sciences. Upon retirement from
NSA, Dr. Burdge helped form Optium Corporation, builder of 10Gbps transponders for telecommunications, where he
served as Vice President for Advanced Components. Optium was acquired by Finisar in 2008. Dr. Burdge received all
of his degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and he is a member of OSA and SPIE, and a
Senior Member of IEEE. Throughout his career he has published more than 60 papers in refereed journals, filed four
patents, served as Program Chair of an OSA Topical Meeting on Spatial Light Modulators, and chaired numerous IEEE
CLEO conference technical sub-committees.
Secretary-Treasurer: Dennis R. Pape, Ph. D., AlphaLaunch
dpape@alphalaunch.com
Dennis R. Pape is President of AlphaLaunch in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with
an A.B. degree and Duke University in Durham, NC with a Ph.D. in Physics. He began his career in the Central
Research Laboratories at Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX where he worked on optically addressed spatial light
modulators. He then became a Group Leader in acousto-optics at Harris Corporation in Melbourne, FL. In 1987 he
founded Photonic Systems Inc. (PSI) in Melbourne, FL. He wrote the business plan for the company and secured
venture capital from a top-tier VC firm. The company developed state-of-the-art optical information processing systems,
primarily for the government. Throughout his technical career he has been involved in advancing the state-of-the-art in
various optical technologies which have resulted in publications in OSA, SPIE, and IEEE journals and presentations at
those societies’ conferences. More recently he has been involved in starting-up new optics companies, both at Milcom
Technologies in Orlando, and now with his own consulting firm, AlphaLaunch.
Voting Board Members
Randy Berridge, Florida High Tech Corridor Council
randy.berridge@floridahightech.com
Randy Berridge serves as the president of Florida High Tech Corridor Council, where he manages a team whose
mission is to attract, retain, and grow high tech industry to Florida’s High Tech Corridor. Other current management roles
he maintains include president of Berridge Consulting Group, and serving as an advisory board member at SunTrust
Bank, N.A. In addition, Mr. Berridge’s community involvement spans the academic arena on the University of Central
Florida’s Foundation Board to economic development commissions in several Central Florida regions and serving on
the Board of Directors of Workforce Florida.
Jason Eichenholz, Ph.D., Ocean Optics, Inc.
jason.eichenholz@oceanoptics.com
Jason Eichenholz is VP of Research & Technology at Ocean Optics, Inc. Eichenholz has more than 15 years of laser
and photonics research and product development experience. He has written more than 30 papers and been granted six
US patents relating to solid-state lasers, displays and photonics devices. A member of SPIE, IEEE-LEOS and OSA, he
chairs the OSA Laser Science and Engineering Technical Group and is a member of the OSA Science and
Engineering Council. Eichenholz earned master's and doctorate degrees in optical sciences and engineering from the
College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida, Center for Research and Education in Optics and
Lasers, and a bachelor's degree in physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
Dennis K. Killinger, Ph.D., University of South Florida
killinge@cas.usf.edu
Dennis K. Killinger is the Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Physics aan expert in laser and optical
remote sensing/Lidar, applied laser spectroscopy, laser physics, and Free Space Optical (FSO) laser communication.
Research includes: radar analysis and microwave atmospheric propagation while employed as a research physicist at
the Naval Avionics Facility, and he was on the research staff at Quantum Electronics at Lincoln Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducting. In 1987, he joined the Physics faculty at the University of South
Florida and is director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric Lidar and Laser Communication Studies, and past Technical
Director of the Technology Deployment Center working on technology transfer for the University and regional industries.
He received a “B.A.” from the University of Iowa, “M.A.” degree from De Pauw University. He also received his Ph.D.
in Physics, from the University of Michigan.
Jennifer Park, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
jennifer.k.park@lmco.com
Jennifer Park is Program Development Manager at Locke Missiles and Fire Control.
Eric Park, Northrop Grumman Laser Systems
eric.park@ngc.com
Eric Park is Chief Engineer, IRCM Sources at Northrop Grumman Laser Systems
Ray Pini, M.S., MBA, LightPath Technologies
rpini@lightpath.com
Ray Pini is currently a Product Manager at LightPath Technologies specializing in molded glass aspheric lenses for the
visible, NIR and LWIR. His undergraduate degree in Physics is from SUNY – Binghamton and his graduate degree in
Physics is from the University of Oregon. He later earned an MBA from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. Ray is
also an expert in designing, building, and marketing complex spectroscopic systems for a variety of techniques including
UV/VIS, Raman, and Fluorescence. Before joining LightPath technologies in 2006, he was the Applications Manager for
HORIBA Jobin Yvon’s Optical Spectroscopy Division.
Gregory J. Quarles, Ph.D., VLOC Inc.
gquarles@vloc.com
Dr. Gregory J. Quarles is currently employed as the Director of Research for VLOC Incorporated, a subsidiary of II-VI
Incorporated. Greg has been with VLOC (and formerly Lightning Optical Corporation) for over 16 years, developing new
solid state laser materials and laser devices for medical, military and industrial applications. Dr. Quarles is a graduate of
Oklahoma State University, where he earned a dual BS (math and physics), an MS and PhD degrees in Physics. Prior
to joining VLOC, Greg was a research physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. While at
NRL, he managed all materials characterization for the Electro-Optics Branch and led a team in the development of
optimized sources for solid state laser systems for IR countermeasures. Greg has been an Associate Editor for Optical
Engineering for seven years and for the IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics for two year. He is also a Fellow of SPIE
and has served as Conference and Symposia Chairman for various laser-related conferences for the Optical Society of
America, the IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society, and SPIE. During his previous 25 years of lasers and materials
research, Dr. Quarles has been awarded five patents related to solid state lasers and has published over 100 peer-
reviewed publications and three books and chapters.
M.J. Soileau, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
mj@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Solieau is Vice President for Research and Professor of Optics, ECE & Physics and provides oversight and
management to the Office of Research and Commercialization at UCF. He began his career as at UCF as Founding
Director of CREOL – the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers in 1987 and led its development into
the School of Optics/CREOL in 1998 before assuming his current duties as Vice President for Research for UCF. Along
with extensive research and development projects, his community involvement in laser/optic and research-based
organizations has enhanced Central Florida’s standing as an international photonics leader. At the University of Southern
California, he received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering/Quantum Electronics and a M.S. in Physics/Optics from the
University of Utah. His research interests include the nonlinear optical properties of materials and laser-induced damage.
He is a Fellow of IEEE, the SPIE--The International Optical Engineering Society, the Optical Society of America, and the
American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. He is the recipient of the SPIE Gold Medal in 2008 and the
Esther Hoffman Beller award from the OSA in 2007.
Eric Ushkowitz, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
eric.ushkowitz@orlandoedc.com
As Director of Technology Business Development, Eric Ushkowitz's main area of responsibility is photonics, biomedical
and life sciences with the focus of retaining, growing and recruiting companies within the high-tech industry. Prior to joining
the EDC, Mr. Ushkowitz spent a year as the Director of Business Development for Odyssey Creative, a local Corporate
Theater and Digital Multimedia Company. In addition he was the Regional Sales Manager for Verizon Wireless, formerly
PrimeCo Personal Communications, for over five years covering the Central Florida area. He was responsible for the
Business to Business sales team covering Orange, Lake, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties for the
largest wireless service provider in the United States. Eric holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Central
Florida, Orlando, FL
Ray Williamson, B.S., Ray Williamson Consulting
raywilliamson@verizon.net.
Throughout his 35 years in the precision optics industry, Ray Williamson has built a reputation as a practical, astute, and
original problem-solver, skilled educator, and multidisciplinary advisor. His main areas of concentration include optical
fabrication, metrology, polarization optics, and system configuration and design. Following his positions as Engineering
Manager and Quality Manager for several well-regarded firms, he has built a consulting practice characterized by
responsiveness, honesty, communication, solution-orientation, and discretion. He has a BS in Physics (Optics
Concentration).
Non-Voting Board Members
FPC Executive Director: Jim Pearson, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
jpearson@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Pearson is Director, Research & Administration, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics and Special
Assistant to Vice President for Research University of Central Florida. He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering &
Physics in 1972 from the California Institute of Technology. In his duties at UCF, he is responsible for marketing and
industry outreach of CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, and for the development and maintenance of effective
relationships with a wide variety of individuals, companies, and organizations for the purpose of establishing research
partnerships and funding in areas of interest to the UCF faculty. He leads the evaluation of selected partnership
opportunities and related proposal efforts, and supports other UCF programs related to the objectives of the UCF Office of
Research and Commercialization. Prior to joining UCF in February 2004, Dr. Pearson held the positions of Executive
Director of ISA – The Instrumentation, Systems, & Automation Society from 1999 – 2004, and Executive Director of
SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering from 1993-1999. From 1976 – 1993, he held several positions
within United Technologies Corporation, including Chief Scientist at United Technologies Research Center, and President
& General Manager of United Technologies Optical Systems. He is a Life Fellow of SPIE, a Fellow of OSA, and a
Senior Member of IEEE.
Alfred Ducharme, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
ducharme@mail.ucf.edu
Alfred Ducharme is Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Engineering Technology at the University of Central Florida. Since
graduating from UCF/CREOL in 1994 with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Alfred Ducharme has led a dynamic
career in photonics and optics. His first patent while working for Senior CREOL Affiliate Physical Sciences, Inc., entitled,
“Integrating Projections Optic,” was developed for the U.S. Department of Defense for testing photovoltaic cells. Following
that, he took a new product development position at Visidyne, Inc., where his research lead to two more patents, the
Digital Phase Processor and the MicroTracker. A form of simple inexpensive lighting control developed by Dr.
Ducharme is now used commercially in venues such as Rain Forest Café as “Retail-tainment.”
Dr. Ducharme now serves as a faculty member of the Engineering Technology Department and has recently worked in
conjunction with Valencia Community College to establish the “Two-Plus-Two” program in photonics which allows
students to earn their A.A. at a community college and then immediately enroll at UCF to earn their B.S. in photonics.
Bahaa Saleh, Ph. D., University of Central Florida
director@creol.ucf.edu
Dr. Saleh is Dean & Director, Professor of Optics, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of
Central Florida and received the B.S. degree from Cairo University in 1966 and the Ph.D. degree from the Johns
Hopkins University in 1971, both in electrical engineering. He held faculty and research positions at the University of Santa
Catarina in Brazil, Kuwait University, Max Planck Institute in Germany, the University of California-Berkeley, the
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Columbia University, University of Vienna, and the University of Wisconsin-
Madison where he was a faculty member from 1977 to 1994 and served as Chairman of the Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering from 1990 to 1994. He was appointed Dean of the College of Optics and Photonics and
Director of CREOL at the University of Central Florida, beginning January 2009. His research contributions cover a
broad spectrum of topics in optics and photonics including statistical and quantum optics, optical communication and
signal processing, nonlinear optics, photodetectors, image processing, and vision. He is the recipient of the 1999 Optical
Society of America Esther Hoffman Beller Award for outstanding contributions to optical science and engineering
education, the 2004 SPIE BACUS award for his contribution to photomask technology, the 2006 Kuwait Prize for his
contributions to optical science, and the 2008 Distinguished Service Award of the Optical Society of America.
Edward Schons, University of Central Florida
eschons@mail.ucf.edu
As the Director of University Economic Development, Ed is directly involved in the creation, attraction and retention of high
technology based companies throughout the UCF’s area of service and that of the Florida’s High Tech Corridor. He has
been actively involved with many economic development organizations in Florida including the Metro-Orlando EDC and
the Tampa Bay Partnership. He works closely with the executive director of the Central Florida Research Park. He has
been an integral part of the Florida High Technology Corridor Council (FHTCC) since 1996 and provides its President,
Randy Berridge with management oversight of corridor activities. Ed is a member of CoreNet Global and serves on the
Orlando Chapter Board. He has been an active member of the Florida Economic Development Council since 1977 and
today serves as a member of this organization’s Executive Committee. He has also been an active member of the
Florida Chamber and is a member of the Board of Governors and is actively involved with the Florida Chamber
Foundation’s “Innovation Caucus. Ed is also a delegate to the Stakeholders Council of Enterprise Florida Inc and is a
member of the Enterprise Florida Legislative Policy Committee. He is a past recipient of the Florida Chamber President’s
Award for Outstanding Service and the Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association's “Leadership Award for Outstanding
Contributions to the Community". Ed is also the recipient of the prestigious "Eunice Sullivan Economic Development
Professional Award" from the Florida Economic Development Council for Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the
Economic Development Profession.
Eric Van Stryland, Ph. D., University of Central Florida
ewvs@creol.ucf.edu
Eric Van Stryland is Professor of Optics, CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central
Florida. Dr. Van Stryland received his PhD in Physics from the University of Arizona, Optical Sciences Center in 1976.
He has worked in the areas of optical coherent transients, laser induced damage, femtosecond pulse production,
nonlinear optical (NLO) spectroscopy, NLO Kramers-Kronig relations, and jointly invented Z-scan. In l987 he helped
build CREOL (Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers) at the University of Central Florida. His current
research interests are in the characterization of the nonlinear optical properties of materials and their temporal response
as well as the applications of these nonlinear materials properties for optical switching, beam control etc. He is a fellow of
the Optical Society of America and SPIE. He also served as a topical editor for Optics Letters. He was President of the
Optical Society of America, OSA, in 2006. He graduated 28 Ph.D.'s and is on the ISI ‘highly cited’ list. e is Dean of the
first college devoted to optics in the US, The College of Optics and Photonics.
Florida Photonics Cluster
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