AmeriCOM Announces New Leadership and Research Facility
AmeriCOM is proud to announce the addition of two industry experts to its team, Dave Shelton, the new President and CEO, and Bill Strong, the new Director of Engineering. In addition, AmeriCOM has moved to a facility in Fairport, NY, which will include a state-of-the-art lab for optics students and professionals to conduct research.
President and CEO Announced
Dave Shelton, a subject matter expert in infrared detectors, radiometry, and EOIR systems engineering, has joined AmeriCOM as President and CEO. Shelton has a deep understanding of the defense industry from time working for prime contractors, and has worn many hats with start-up companies in the defense industry. Most recently, Shelton worked as an advanced systems manager at Ball Aerospace where he led systems engineering on several space programs.
“I believe passionately in AmeriCOM’s mission because much of my career has been reliant on a strong optics manufacturing base,” Shelton said. “I’m eager to work with industry, academic, and governmental partners to continue to build on the momentum we’ve created to secure and enhance the nation’s precision optics supply chain,” he added.
Shelton previously served in a program management role in the Image Processing Center of Excellence with L3 before moving to a role as senior scientist with BAE Systems FAST Labs. He earned his PhD and Master’s degree in Materials Science and Optics from the University of Central Florida. Read more about President and CEO Dave Shelton and his vision for AmeriCOM in an upcoming issue of Optics Insider.
Director of Engineering On Board
Bill Strong joins AmeriCOM as Director of Engineering. Strong will oversee the operations of AmeriCOM’s lab facility and activities in support of its research mission to develop advanced precision optics manufacturing technologies, testing equipment, and specialized materials required to support scalable manufacturing of lenses and optical components. Strong has decades of experience in optics manufacturing and engineering roles having previously served as Director of Product Engineering at Rochester Precision Optics, a globally recognized manufacturer of precision optics for night vision applications.
Bill graduated from Monroe Community College’s Optical Systems Technology Program, and later taught there as a full-time instructor for three years before returning to industry in an engineering leadership role. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Research Facility Takes Shape
AmeriCOM is proud to open a new 10,000-square-foot research and development facility in Fairport, NY, designed to study new processes, techniques, and materials to advance the optics manufacturing industry.
The facility will house close to $5 million of new equipment, some of which is already in place. AmeriCOM plans to work with university graduate students to conduct the research. The facility will also be available to industry partners interested in testing new materials and procedures. Watch for details of an open house event in an upcoming issue of Optics Insider.