NEWS: OIDA appoints Frederic Quan as new President

April 12, 2010

OIDA’s Board of Directors has appointed Frederic Quan as its new President effective April 12, 2010. Mr. Quan will replace Dr. Michael Lebby who has chosen to return to industry.

Mr. Quan joins OIDA as an optoelectronics and telecommunications industry veteran with more than 30 years in senior research and management positions at Corning Incorporated.  Mr. Quan brings to the OIDA team strength in working with the US Government as well as industry. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead OIDA as the industry seeks to rebound from the recent downturn,” Mr. Quan stated.  “Technology has rejuvenated the economy in the past, and OIDA can play a crucial role in ensuring technology does so again.”

In announcing the appointment, Dr. Waguih Ishak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OIDA, underscored the Board’s enthusiasm to work with Mr. Quan in pursuing its new growth strategy, adding “Fred Quan brings technical expertise, deep knowledge of the industry and an impressive track record of collaboration with government agencies and departments in the development of technology.” Dr. Ishak also added “The Board thanks Dr. Lebby for his contributions to OIDA and looks forward to having him on the Board representing his company.”

In 1974 Mr. Quan joined Corning Incorporated where he played a critical role pioneering the budding fiber optics industry.  Mr. Quan started the specialty fiber business for Corning and was solely responsible for Corning’s government contracts business.

In recent years, Mr. Quan has been instrumental in establishing several industry groups including the IDCC, (www.IDCC.org), and the GMIC, (www.GMIC.org) to enhance partnerships and further collaborative projects between major industrial companies and government agencies.

His academic credentials include a BSEE from the Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY and an MBA in finance and marketing from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY.  He has four patents and has authored numerous papers and magazine articles.  Mr. Quan has taught continuing education courses on fiber optics at George Washington University since 1981 and lectured for several years at the USDA Graduate School on technology transfer.

About OIDA:

OIDA is a Washington DC-based, non-profit association that promotes optoelectronics. OIDA members include the leading providers of optoelectronic components and systems enabled by optoelectronics, as well as universities and research institutions. OIDA serves as the voice of industry to government and academia, acts as liaison with other industry associations worldwide, and provides a network for the exchange of ideas and information within the optoelectronics community. Learn more about OIDA at www.oida.org.

Editorial Contact:

David Iams
Communications Director
OIDA
(202) 785-4426
iams@oida.org