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Rapid Microsystems Commercialization Center Chooses
Leader from Industry

Canandaigua, NY, December 15, 2008

Paul Tolley, most recently VP and General Manager at Syntec Optics, has been appointed CEO of Canandaigua's Infotonics Technology Center. Tolley will begin serving as Infotonics CEO Monday, Dec. 15, 2008.

Tolley has over 20 years experience in leading edge polymer optics product development and manufacturing for systems, such as biometric identification, medical imaging, defense, and telecommunications. Paul also has experience in engineering management and strategic planning for several Fortune 500 companies. He is a member of OSA, APOMA, and the Technical Advisory Committee for Homeland Security.

Paul is also a Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster (RRPC) Board Member and co-developer of Patented HRDT technology.

In his nearly nine years at Syntec, Tolley helped triple Syntec’s sales by transforming the company into a polymer optics leader and building collaborative industry relationships. Under Tolley's leadership Syntec Optics was the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Frost & Sullivan Growth Excellence Award in the North American polymer optics market.

“Paul is a fantastic fit for Infotonics,” said John Hart, Infotonics chairman of the board. “He understands the role this center can play in driving our local economy. He has the ability to bridge not only technological gaps, but also gaps between organizations. I know he will work tirelessly to introduce our capabilities to companies here in New York and around the globe to help commercialize their technologies,” added Hart.

After conducting a 14-day review of Infotonics, it is expected that Tolley will develop an immediate one-year plan alongside a long-term strategic vision, including rebranding the Center with target industries.

About the Infotonics Technology Center

The Infotonics Technology Center Inc. (Infotonics) is a not-for-profit corporation that operates New York State’s Center of Excellence in Photonics and Microsystems.  Infotonics is structured as a consortium whose founding participants include Corning, Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, and Xerox Corporation.  Academic participants include some 20 New York State colleges and universities.  Infotonics’ goal is to establish a unique, world-class research and development facility to enable rapid commercialization of new products.  This initiative will provide major benefits to the region, including creation of jobs and attraction of new companies and investment revenue.