Michigan photonics industry forms new cluster

April 15, 2013

Ann Arbor, MI--An alliance to serve the photonics industry in Michigan--Mi-Light--held its first meeting on April 10, 2013, to elect and install a board of directors.

Conard Holton

Ann Arbor, MI--An alliance to serve the photonics industry in Michigan--Mi-Light--held its first meeting on April 10, 2013, to elect and install a board of directors. The cluster follows from funding in 2012 by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which awarded Mi-Light $89,000 to kick-off activities supporting and promoting the growth of the state’s photonics industry.

Leaders from Michigan's photonics companies, many of which are in Washtenaw County, began meeting in 2008 to collaborate on developing the state's photonics industry. The new Board members are: Michelle Stock (mlstock consulting), Chair; David Shindell (Data Optics), Vice-Chair and Acting Treasurer; Anca Sala (Baker College), Secretary; Bodo Ehlers (Rigaku); Sheila Jensen (Visotek); Michael Klos (IPG Photonics); and Richard Kurtz (Advanced Photonix).

Mi-Light is using the MEDC funding to:
1. Promote Michigan’s industry and research assets in photonics to a global audience in order to attract companies, talent, and new business.
2. Increase awareness of Michigan’s breadth and depth of photonics capabilities and assets.
3. Develop photonics education and training programs in Michigan to increase the availability of skilled technical personnel at all levels.
4. Stimulate collaboration among its members and with outside organizations.

For more information, contact Michelle Stock at [email protected] or visit www.mi-light.org.

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.