Optical component developer Edmund Optics Inc. has appointed Patrick Gray as its new business development director for U.S. defense and aerospace. Patrick brings over 22 years of defense and aerospace industry experience, with specific expertise in night vision, thermal weapon sights, vision systems, optics, robotics and lighting used in the offshore oil and gas, nuclear power and oceanographic research markets. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Patrick gained extensive experience in defense programs and weapons platforms working with Remote Ocean Systems and, most recently, Qioptiq. He is also well-versed in ITAR and export control requirements. Patrick will continue the work of his predecessor, Bill Dover, to grow the U.S. defense business sector and provide government agencies and contractors with service to support our national defense and aerospace initiatives. Dover will transition to Edmund Optics’ imaging business unit in its new Silicon Valley office. "Patrick has a proven record of delivering strategic and progressive solutions to customers working in the most extreme and hazardous environments," said Marisa Edmund, executive vice president of marketing at Edmund Optics. "He is highly effective in building strong, long-term client relationships and will be an asset to our military and defense customer base.” Edmund Optics is a supplier of optics, imaging and photonics technology for the life sciences, biomedical, semiconductor, R&D and defense markets.