SPIE Defense + Security Event: Scaling the Optics Manufacturing Technician Pipeline for Emerging National Defense Priorities

From Regional Hubs to National Readiness: Scaling the Optics Manufacturing Technician Pipeline for Emerging National Defense Priorities

The U.S. industrial base requires a rapidly scalable and highly skilled workforce to effectively support mission-critical technologies, such as Directed Energy. This panel, featuring leaders from AmeriCOM’s Workforce Development Initiative and its partner college network, will detail the successful national strategy to close the optics technician skills gap. We will explore how a network of regional academic hubs is building a resilient domestic Optics Manufacturing Technician (OMT) pipeline.

From Regional Hubs to National Readiness: Scaling the Optics Manufacturing Technician Pipeline for Emerging National Defense Priorities

The U.S. industrial base requires a rapidly scalable and highly skilled workforce to effectively support mission-critical technologies, such as Directed Energy. This panel, featuring leaders from AmeriCOM’s Workforce Development Initiative and its partner college network, will detail the successful national strategy to close the optics technician skills gap. We will explore how a network of regional academic hubs is building a resilient domestic Optics Manufacturing Technician (OMT) pipeline.

Discussions will focus on:

Standardization: Developing and implementing national standards for OMT training across multiple states.

Industrial Resilience: How this talent pipeline directly supports the readiness, growth, and security of the defense industrial base.

Academia-Industry Synergy: The vital role of community colleges and industry partnerships in producing highly specialized, mission-ready graduates for both commercial and defense manufacturers.

Attendees will receive a practical overview of how this multi-state collaboration translates regional talent into national technological readiness.

Below are the details for the panel AmeriCOM is co-organizing with SPIE:

 

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
• Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
• Location: Prince George Exhibition Hall, Industry Stage
 

Co-Moderators:

• Joe Kuczynski – Senior Editor, Photonics Spectra, & Host, All Things Photonics Podcast
• Yvette Pagano – Executive Director, APOMA
 

Featured Panelists:

• Mark Craig – Director, Gallatin College Photonics Program
• Jim Kraly – Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Keene State College
• Jenna Montague – Director, Optics and Laser Technology, Front Range Community College
• Greg Wilson – Dean of Applied Technology, Pima Community College
• Alexis Vogt – Endowed Chair & Professor of Optics, MCC; Executive Director of Workforce & Higher Education, AmeriCOM
• Brian Monacelli – Professor & Director of the Laser Technology Program, Pasadena City College
 
Find more here at SPIE.