Role and Company
Special Consultant, and Executive Director, Florida Photonics Cluster, Retired
Expertise
50 years experience in engineering
Location
Cumming, GA
About James
James Pearson has many years of experience in the photonics field (which encompasses almost all applications with laser, optics, fiber optics materials, components, subsystems, and systems). His work background includes both technical and management positions in research, product development, and manufacturing. He served for 8 years in the US Air Force Reserves as a Liaison Officer for ROTC and the Air Force Academy.
James Pearson received his PhD in Electrical Engineering & Physics from the California Institute of Technology. From 2004-2009 at the University of Central Florida (UCF) he served as Director, Research & Administration for CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics and Special Assistant to the UCF VP for Research. He was responsible for establishing research partnerships with individuals and organizations in areas of interest to the UCF faculty and for several special projects including Interim Director, Advanced Materials & Processing Center (AMPAC) and Homeland Security Liaison for UCF. Currently semi-retired, he is Special Consultant for CREOL, contributing to a variety of projects including marketing and partnership development, photonics technician training and certification, and support of the Florida Photonics Cluster. He also is a co-principal investigator on an NSF-ATE program, LASER-TEC, that is developing increased education and training resources for photonics technicians. There are many job opportunities for people with such training.
Prior to joining UCF, he was Executive Director of ISA – The Instrumentation, Systems, & Automation Society (1999-2004), Executive Director of SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering (1993-1999), and held several positions within United Technologies Corporation (1976-1993), including Chief Scientist at the Research Center, and President of UT Optical Systems. He is a Life Fellow of SPIE, Fellow of OSA, and a Senior Life Member of IEEE, and has served on the Board and several committees of these societies. He served the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) as President, 2001-2002; Secretary, 2000-2001; and member of the Board of Directors, 1995-2003.