Welcome to the Florida Photonics Cluster Website
Mission
The mission of the Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) is to support the growth and profitability of the photonics industry
through the strength of a unified voice. The driving forces of the FPC are networking opportunities with industry peers,
an expansive resource base, and an educational community focused on industry input for curriculum development.
The FPC is a 501c(6) not-for-profit corporation.
The mission of the Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) is to support the growth and profitability of the photonics industry
through the strength of a unified voice. The driving forces of the FPC are networking opportunities with industry peers,
an expansive resource base, and an educational community focused on industry input for curriculum development.
The FPC is a 501c(6) not-for-profit corporation.
Florida Photonics Cluster
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Message From The Current President
I am very excited about the prospects for the photonics industry in Florida and I am proud to
be part of the Florida Photonics Cluster at such a pivotal period. Florida has always had all the
ingredients that make for leadership position in the high technology sector but the growing
success of its photonics businesses coupled with the world-wide recognition of CREOL as a
preeminent center of excellence in the field are evidence that we are poised for outstanding
growth. Please contact us to learn more about how you and your organization can be a part of
this terrific story!
Alexandre Fong
President, Florida Photonics Cluster
I am very excited about the prospects for the photonics industry in Florida and I am proud to
be part of the Florida Photonics Cluster at such a pivotal period. Florida has always had all the
ingredients that make for leadership position in the high technology sector but the growing
success of its photonics businesses coupled with the world-wide recognition of CREOL as a
preeminent center of excellence in the field are evidence that we are poised for outstanding
growth. Please contact us to learn more about how you and your organization can be a part of
this terrific story!
Alexandre Fong
President, Florida Photonics Cluster
Our Founder
The Florida Photonics Cluster was the vision of Bill Schwartz. Bill is best known as president
and chief executive officer of Schwartz Electro-Optics, a company he founded in 1983. Often
referred to as the true pioneer of Florida’s laser industry, laser research groups or companies
he led have been the source of 15 of Orlando, Florida’s 40 laser companies and
organizations.
Bill headed up laser research, development, and production programs at Lockheed Martin’s
Orlando division before founding International Laser Systems (ILS) in 1968. He was president
and CEO of ILS for 15 years until it was purchased by Litton and renamed Litton Laser
Systems in 1983. He then founded Schwartz Electro-Optics.
Bill Schwartz passed away in 2000, but his vision for the future of photonics lives on through
FPC.
The Florida Photonics Cluster was the vision of Bill Schwartz. Bill is best known as president
and chief executive officer of Schwartz Electro-Optics, a company he founded in 1983. Often
referred to as the true pioneer of Florida’s laser industry, laser research groups or companies
he led have been the source of 15 of Orlando, Florida’s 40 laser companies and
organizations.
Bill headed up laser research, development, and production programs at Lockheed Martin’s
Orlando division before founding International Laser Systems (ILS) in 1968. He was president
and CEO of ILS for 15 years until it was purchased by Litton and renamed Litton Laser
Systems in 1983. He then founded Schwartz Electro-Optics.
Bill Schwartz passed away in 2000, but his vision for the future of photonics lives on through
FPC.
What's New!
- See the brochure of all the FPC members as of January 2009. If you would like a hard
copy, please contact us. - Listen to the Podcast "Shining a Spotlight on the Science of Light" with FPC President
Alex Fong - also free on iTunes! - See a feature interview with Alex Fong on the recent Photonics West Cluster Summit in
the March Laser Focus OE Report - Join our BLOG Discussion Board and our LinkedIn Group!
- Seeking submissions for next email newsletter - contact us!
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