People in the News: 04/21/21

ONTARIO, N.Y. — Computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines and CAD/CAM software manufacturer and distributor OptiPro Systems named Rob Bechtold vice president. The appointment was effective April 6. Bechtold has spent his entire professional career with OptiPro, serving most recently as CTO in charge of engineering the company’s line of optical fabrication and metrology equipment as well as overseeing process development groups. As VP, Bechtold will assist with running day-to-day operations and decision-making. He will also continue as CTO.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Lens and optomechanical components manufacturer OptoSigma USA appointed Scott Rudder president and CEO and promoted Guy Ear to chairman of the board of OptoSigma Group. Rudder previously served as vice president of marketing and sales for Innovative Photonic Solutions. Ear formerly served as president and CEO of OptoSigma USA.

MONTREAL — AEPONYX, a developer of integrated photonic solutions and optoelectronics using MEMS products, added to its executive leadership team with the appointment of Jeff Demain as vice president of business development and marketing. Demain was previously the founding business development and marketing director for Intel’s silicon photonics business unit.

CAMPBELL, Calif. — Stefan Krause joined the board of directors at VELO^3D Inc., an additive manufacturer for high-value metal parts. Krause will serve as audit committee chair. The former CFO at BMW and chairman of Rolls Royce Motorcars, Postbank AG, and BHF Bank previously served on the supervisory boards of Rocket Internet and Allianz AG. In March, VELO^3D announced plans to become a publicly traded company.

Hidetaka Sawada. Courtesy of JEOL USA.

PEABODY, Mass. — JEOL USA, whose product line includes analytical instrumentation for the scientific and industrial R&D sectors, named Hidetaka Sawada managing director. Sawada has held positions at Oxford University, Lehigh University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of California, Irvine. He will be based at JEOL USA’s Peabody, Mass., office.