Longtime Philips executive Matthijs Glastra has been hired as group president, Laser Products, GSI Group Inc. said this week. Glastra will join GSI in the fourth quarter and will be based at the company's Santa Clara, Calif., site. The company also announced the departure of corporate officer Dave Clarke, effective Sept. 28. Clarke spent 18 years with GSI, including 14 years as president of its industrial CO2 laser business Synrad. "We wish him well in his future endeavors, some of which may involve business partnership with GSI," said GSI Group CEO John Roush. Glastra joins GSI after an 18-year career with Philips, where he most recently served as CEO of Philips Entertainment Lighting. His previous positions include chief operating officer of Philips Lumileds and general manager of various Philips business units, including Philips LCD Backlighting and Philips Semiconductors. "He is a highly talented business leader with a broad array of skills and a substantial track record of accomplishment," Roush said. "Within our Laser Group, we have a significant agenda on both the strategic and execution fronts. I am excited to partner with Matthijs to drive our results in these areas." Glastra earned an MS in applied physics from Delft University of Technology, an advanced engineering degree in applied physics and electronics from ESPCI in Paris and an MBA from INSEAD. GSI Group designs and manufactures laser-based products, and precision motion and optical technologies for the industrial, electronics, medical and scientific markets. For more information, visit: www.gsig.com