Photonics Alumni Council for Technicians (PACT)

Photonics Alumni Council for Technicians (PACT)

An organization of the OP-TEC Photonics College Network

In 2008, OP-TEC created the Photonics Alumni Council for Technicians (PACT).  The PACT is an organization of distinguished graduates who have received education/training in lasers, electro-optics, optics and/or photonics applications from two and four-year technical colleges.  Graduates are nominated by current and former faculty who recognize their technical achievements and leadership abilities. 

The purpose of the PACT and its members is to:

  • Recognize excellence and success in photonics technicians.
  • Provide role models and mentors for photonics technician students and for high school students considering a career in photonics
  • Demonstrate diversity opportunities in photonics technician employment.
  • Provide examples of successful photonics technician career and education pathways.
  • Advise photonics technician students on how to be successful in school, why they should complete a degree or certificate, how to get a job after graduation and how to be successful at work.

PACT members will also:

  • Provide unique and valuable insight on the changing role of today’s photonics technicians in the workplace.
  • Advise OP-TEC and other educators on photonics technician curricula, teaching materials, skill standards and instructional strategies.
  • Advise OP-TEC of emerging applications in photonics, particularly in the area of expertise of the PACT member.

PACT members have contributed advice for a series of OP-TEC publications for photonics students.

OP-TEC has conducted a series of interviews with PACT members to learn why they chose to pursue a career and education in photonics and how their education and career choices have impacted their lives.  We also asked members to provide advice to others considering a career and education in photonics.  We have compiled this information into short biographies for each PACT member.  Some PACT members have also been featured in the OP-TEC Photonics Technician Career Video series.

We invite you to view the list below of current PACT members and click on the photo and/or “Biography” link to learn more about the PACT member and to read their personal biography.   Click on the “Video” link to view the PACT member’s video profile.

Please bookmark this page and check back often as we will be adding new biographies and materials in the near future!

Robert Aguilar, Jr.

Robert Aguilar, Jr.

Territory Manager III
AlconLabs, Inc.
Biography
Video

Bruce Allen

Bruce Allen

Midwest Regional Sales Manager
Newport Corporation
Biography

Michael Bass

Michael Bass

Member of Technical Staff
Bright View Technologies
Biography

David Batsche

David Batsche

Process Technician
CREE, Inc.
Biography



Bruce Brinson, Ph.D.

Bruce Brinson, Ph.D.

Photonics and Nano-Engineering Consultant
Biography
Video

Darrell Hull, Ph.D.

Darrell Hull, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
University of North Texas
Biography

Reese Jernigan

Reese Jernigan

Laser Technician
Bright View Technologies
Biography

Colt Jesse

Colt Jesse

Optical Sensor Sciences Engineer
Infrared Associates, Inc.
Biography



Jeremy Johnson

Jeremy Johnson

Senior Staff Engineer
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
Biography

Lee L’Esperance

Lee L’Esperance

Senior Manager
Alcatel-Lucent, Bell Laboratories Division
Biography

Woodrow Morrison III

Woodrow Morrison III

Laser Tech II
Spectra-Physics
Biography

Christopher Pluemer

Christopher Pluemer

Laser Technician
Epilog Laser Company
Biography



Michelle Redish

Laser Technician II
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Biography

Ryan Renfrew

Field Service Engineer
Cymer, Inc.
Biography

Michael Smith, Jr.

Principal Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories
Biography

Terry Smith

Engineering Technician
Pentair Water
Biography