John Bowers, AIM Photonics’ deputy CEO and a distinguished professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will serve as acting executive director of AIM Photonics beginning Feb. 1. NY CREATES (New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science) announced that Bowers will assume the interim role after current CEO Michael J. Cumbo leaves his position to join Artemis Capital Partners.
Cumbo, named AIM Photonics CEO in June 2020, has been appointed president and CEO of Omega Optical Holdings LLC effective Feb. 1. Omega Optical Holdings is a precision optics platform that Artemis formed in August 2020 upon the acquisition of Omega Optical LLC, a manufacturer of precision optical filters and coatings.
According to an Omega Optical press release, Cumbo will lead all strategic and operational initiatives to position the platform for long-term growth. He will additionally continue to be involved with AIM, serving as a special adviser to its leadership team. The decision to step down as AIM CEO was driven by personal factors, Cumbo said in a press release issued by NY CREATES.
While Bowers serves as acting executive director, NY CREATES President Doug Grose will oversee day-to-day operations and financial and administrative functions with the assistance of AIM and NY CREATES staff.
AIM Photonics recently announced $19 million in research program awards for advance integrated photonics projects under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Lasers for Universal Microscale Optical Systems program.