Stephen L. Abbey has been appointed the new Managing Director of the Specialty Optical Fiber (SOF) unit at StockerYale, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of structured light lasers, LED modules and specialty optical fibers. According to StockerYale the appointment, effective June 8, 2008, reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the rapid development of SOF initiatives for key medical, industrial and defense verticals. Abbey will report directly to StockerYale’s Chief Operating Officer, Tim Losik. “With over 34 years of sales and marketing experience, including 10 years at JDS Uniphase Corporation’s specialty fiber business unit, and SDL, Inc.’s specialty fiber group, Steve is uniquely equipped to lead the SOF business to capitalize on key opportunities and accelerate growth,” stated Mark W. Blodgett, Chairman and CEO. “His strong management experience in technology, sales and marketing will be central to the unit’s ability to leverage its position as the sole remaining independent specialty optical fiber manufacturer.” Abbey was most recently Principal of Hickory Associates, an executive management consulting and coaching firm, where he developed and implemented processes to achieve business objectives for companies across disparate industries. Prior to this, he was a Director and General Manager of JDS Uniphase Corporation’s Specialty Fiber unit from 2001 through 2003. He was Director of SDL, Inc.’s Specialty Fiber Group, a manufacturer of active optical components and integrated modules, from 1999 to 2001 when it was acquired by JDS Uniphase Corporation. From 1998 to 1999, Abbey was Vice President and General Manager at Polaroid Corporation’s fiber laser business. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Management from Clarkson University.