Fraunhofer ILT Appoints Director: People in the News: 3/19/25

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has appointed Jochen Stollenwerk as acting director, succeeding Constantin Häfner, who headed the institute from 2019 to 2025 and has now moved to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Munich as director of research and transfer. Stollenwerk had previously been appointed deputy director of the institute in March 2024 and helped establish the chair of technology of optical systems at RWTH Aachen University.

Jochen Stollenwerk. Courtesy of Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT.

SILVERWATER, Australia — BluGlass Limited, a semiconductor developer, has established an industry advisory board led by Steven DenBaars and Richard Craig in an effort to accelerate BluGlass’ technical roadmap and commercial advancement of its gallium nitride laser portfolio for the global quantum, defense, and biotech markets. DenBaars is the co-founder of Soraa Laser Diode, Inc., where he served as chair and CEO until its acquisition by Kyocera Corporation in January 2021, and is co-director of the Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Craig has previously served as president and chief scientist at Oclaro and senior vice president at SDL and JDSU (now Lumentum) and currently serves on the boards of multiple high technology laser companies.

Steven DenBaars (left) and Richard Craig. Courtesy of BluGlass Limited.

IRVINE, Calif. — Provider of electronic components and connectivity solutions Infinite Electronics has appointed J. Lindsley Ruth as president and CEO, succeeding Penny Cotner, who has decided to step down as CEO after 12 years with the company. Ruth has over 30 years of global leadership experience, most recently as CEO of RS Group plc.

HEXAM, England — Members of the International Optical Technologies Association, a trade body representing the international optical security technologies industry and formerly the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, has confirmed its first executive board. The board will consist of Ondrej Fedorcák of Optaglio, Manoj Kochar of Holoflex, Don Havourd of Hazen Paper Company, Jim Keller of Opsec Security, and Alexandre Noizet of Surys. Paul Dunn, a former chair of the IHMA, will remain in his post as a consultant board member.