ROCHESTER, NY, October 27, 2016 – New York Photonics honored three leaders in business and education – and a United States Senator – for their contributions to New York’s Optics and Photonics Industry.
New York Photonics Executive Director Tom Battley presented the awards in front of more than 180 stakeholders from industry, government and education from across the region at the RRPC’s 2016 Annual Meeting at the Rochester Museum and Science Center Strasenburgh Planetarium.
The RRPC Entrepreneur Award recipient for 2016 is Julian Goldstein, President of 
Navitar, Inc. For demonstrating creativity, innovative spirit and drive in pursuit of the dream of creating an industry-leading company in the Optics, Photonics and Imaging Industry. For over 35 years, Goldstein has uncovered industry trends and opportunities, spearheaded mergers and acquisitions, and invested in new product development to ensure Navitar’s success in meeting customer’s future needs. Now with over 1200 products, four manufacturing facilities, and 100+ employees, Navitar sells to organizations within the Life Sciences, Industrial Imaging, Metrology, Planetarium, Amusement, and Simulation markets and exports to over 45 countries.
The RRPC Leadership Award recipient for 2016 is Rick Plympton, CEO of Optimax Systems, for working with fellow members and the community to promote the Rochester Region’s Optics, Photonics and Imaging Industry. Plympton is recognized for his career work with the regional and national optics, photonics and imaging industries. In his position as a board member with the New York Photonics cluster Plympton has initiated strategies, helped fund initiatives and promoted New York’s OPI industry for nearly two decades.
The RRPC Education Award recipient for 2016 is Donna Smith, Science Teacher at Gates Chili High School for inspiring students to embrace Optics, Photonics, and Imaging sciences and guiding them in career development. Smith’s Gates Chili / MCC dual-credit optics classes have inspired students to pursue careers in optics, photonics and imaging. She has raised money for her laboratory, created curricula and taught students the relevance of science of physics is in their everyday lives – and in their and futures.
A special presentation of the RRPC Optics & Photonics Award was made to Senator Charles E. Schumer for his long-standing support of NewYork’s Optics, Photonics and Imaging industry.
