OP-TEC Photonics Clusters

Photonics Clusters


OP-TEC is currently working with photonics clusters across the nation to help support efforts to build strong foundations between industry and educational institutions.  Photonics clusters are local or regional “clusters” of organizations and individuals who support optic and photonics industry and education.  Key members of clusters normally include optics and photonics-related industry organizations and employers, educational institutions and faculty members, and workforce development and government officials.  Industry and employers can provide educators valuable feedback, direction and support to increase/sustain educational programs that fit the needs in the area or region.  Colleges can work with employers and industry within the cluster to ensure educational programs are relevant and up-to-date with current needs in the workplace. 

OP-TEC looks to these clusters to help define the needs of photonics technician employers in the area and to help identify and support colleges that are offering or planning to offer technician education programs.

Please find the list below of U.S. photonics clusters.  Contact information and a brief description from each cluster’s website is also provided.  Please click on the website link or logo to visit each cluster’s website.


Arizona Optics Industry Association
Bob Breault
P.O. Box 30205
Tucson, Arizona  85751
E-mail:  bbreault@breault.com
Website:  www.aoia.org
The mission of the AOIA is to promote the growth of the optics industry in Arizona.

Carolinas Photonics Consortium
Jeff Conley, Director
1754 Woodruff Rd., Ste. 101
Greenville, South Carolina  29607
Phone:  864-325-4700
E-mail:  jcon@charter.net
Website:  www.carolinasphotonics.com
The mission of the Carolinas Photonics Consortium is to provide resources and to proactively interface between key stakeholders in the region (universities, companies, economic development, government agencies, investment groups) to commercialize CPC university photonic technologies.

Colorado Photonics Industry Association
Barbara Ihde, Executive Director
1155 Canyon Blvd., Ste. 400
Boulder, Colorado  80302
Phone:  303-834-1022
E-mail:  exec@coloradophotonics.org
Website:  www.coloradophotonics.org
The Colorado Photonics Industry Association (CPIA) is an association of Industrial, University, and Government entities involved in research, development, and/or the sale of products or services that involve photonics technologies.

Florida Photonics Cluster
James E. Pearson, Director
12565 Research Parkway, Ste. 300
Orlando, Florida  32826
E-mail:  jpearson@creol.ucf.edu
Website:  www.floridaphotonicscluster.com
Formed to support the growth and profitability of the photonics industry through the strength of a unified voice, the FPC is open to companies and organizations that provide optics and photonics products or services.  

New Mexico Optics Industry Association
Ed Spivak
851 University Blvd., SE
Suite 203
Albuquerque, New Mexico  87106
Phone:  505-246-6200
E-mail:  info@nmoia.org
Website:  www.nmoptics.com
The mission of the New Mexico Optics Industry Associate is to promote the dynamic growth and development of the optics industry in New Mexico and the Southwest Region.

New York Photonics
Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster
Thomas Battley, Executive Director
150 Lucius Gordon Drive
Rochester, New York  14586
Phone:  585-329-4029
E-mail:  tbattley@newyorkphotonics.org
Website – New York Photonics:  www.newyorkphotonics.org
Website – Rochester Cluster: www.newyorkphotonics.org/tabid/387/Default.aspx
New York Photonics provides information on photonics industry and education in New York. 
The Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster (RRPC) is a not-for-profit organization founded to promote and enhance the New York State photonics, optics and imaging industry by fostering the cooperation of business, academia and government.

If you would like additional information about Photonics Clusters, please contact us!