Paul Millman, Co-founder and CEO of Chroma Technology, Retires

EMMETT WARREN, NEWS EDITOR
emmett.warren@photonics.com

Paul Millman, who co-founded Chroma Technology Corp. in 1991 and helped build the firm into a successful worker-owned enterprise serving the photonics industry, is stepping down as CEO, effective April 30.

Millman will be followed as CEO by current chief financial officer Newell Lessell. Current chief technology officer Janette Bombardier will add the role of chief operating officer to her responsibilities.

Paul Millman, CEO of Chroma Technology. Courtesy of Chroma Technology.

An optical filters manufacturer headquartered in the town of Rockingham, Vermont, Chroma was launched by Millman with Wim Auer, Wendy Cross, Frank Kebbell, Jay Reichman, and Dick Stewart.

Millman has been in a leadership role since the company started, essentially serving as chief customer officer on a global scale as the company grew to $34.5 million in sales in 2019.

“The next generation of leadership at Chroma is well suited to take Chroma forward,” said Millman. “Newell Lessell was brought on with the idea that he would one day take over the leadership of Chroma. He has a long history in the employee-ownership movement. And it was a great day when former IBM executive Janette Bombardier agreed to join Chroma. There are very few with her experience in high-tech manufacturing. We’re really lucky that way.”

Millman was the 2016 recipient of the Terry Ehrich Award for Socially Responsible Business and served as a director of the Vermont Business Roundtable, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, and the Vermont Employee Ownership Center.

Millman currently resides in Brattleboro, Vermont. He said his future plans include permanent residency in Vermont where he will continue to work on the social issues facing his state.