SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 11 – Coherent Inc. has promoted John Ambroseo, president of the Coherent Photonics Group, to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Coherent Inc. The announcement was made by Bernard Couillaud, president and CEO of the Company. In his new role, Ambroseo will assume, effective immediately, responsibilities for Coherent day-to-day operations, enabling Couillaud to focus more of his energies and expertise on the future strategic direction of the Company.
Couillaud comments, “The changes experienced by the Photonics market in the last few years have triggered major changes at Coherent. Capitalizing on 35 years of leadership in technology and overall market knowledge, we are redirecting our effort towards emerging and expanding markets. To that effect, we have recently divested from the medical business and created CTAG, a group dedicated to serving the active component Telecom market.
“Earlier, we had merged our Optics, Laser and Semiconductor operations into a newly created Photonics Group, as well as listed our Lambda Physik subsidiary on the Neuer Markt in Germany. Our industry is experiencing rapid changes, the creation of new opportunities and the development of new technologies. We have reached a point where strategic planning and day-to-day execution require maximum attention. With John assuming responsibility for the overall day-to-day operations of the Company, I will be able to devote more of my time and energy to define the best and most profitable direction for Coherent moving forward. With extensive industry expertise and a successful record in management positions, John is my and the Board of Directors' partner of choice for the overall management of the Company.”
Ambroseo has served as Corporate Executive Vice President, and President of the Photonics Group since September 1997. From January 1997 to September 1997, he served as Director of the Laser Group Scientific Business Unit. Prior to that, from July 1995 to January 19976, Ambroseo was Director of Europe operations for the Laser Group. Between 1990 and 1997, Ambroseo served respectively as Sales Manager, Product Manager and Sales Representative. Ambroseo, 40, has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the State University of New York College at Purchase and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.