Rochester native Dr. Michael J. Cumbo named CEO at AIM Photonics
Dr. Michael J. Cumbo has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics). This appointment, which is effective July 6, 2020, was announced by NY CREATES (New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering and Science).
The company, AIM Photonics, is a Photonic Integrated Chip (PIC) manufacturer. Founded in 2015, AIM Photonics is known for advancing workforce innovation and integrated photonic technology. The company is celebrating five years of success and is now nationally recognized for creating the world’s first open-access Integrated Photonic manufacturing ecosystem.
Dr. Cumbo comes to AIM Photonics after serving as the Vice President of Optics for ZYGO Corporation, which produces electro-optical systems and components for the industrial markets. In addition, he is the Founder and Chairman of Sandia Electro-Optics Corporation (SE-OC). This employee-owned enterprise is dedicated to innovative measurement instruments in the life science and environmental sensing market segments.
Prior to that time, Dr. Cumbo spent more than 30 years managing photonic technology development across the globe, most recently as President of IDEX Optics & Photonics. In the past, he spent time as an advisor supporting improvement programs for a number of venture capital startups. Before that time, Dr. Cumbo managed various photonics based companies including Coherent, Inc. and Uniphase Commercial Laser Division, held positions with Bausch & Lomb and Eastman Kodak in his hometown of Rochester, N.Y.
Dr. Cumbo has 11 patents, and authored 22 technical journal papers. He holds a Ph.D. in Optics, an M.S. in Optical Engineering, and a B.S. in Physics from the University of Rochester, as well as an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.
“We are just beginning to see the significant impact AIM Photonics is having on the world of integrated photonics,” said Dr. John Bowers, Deputy CEO of AIM Photonics, and distinguished professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials at University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). “There is so much more to accomplish, and it is a pleasure to have an individual of Mike’s qualifications leading us through the next phase.”