Entering our luncheon meeting, it was great to be greeted by our newest member Jimmy Munozcano.

After welcoming everyone, President Bob asked M to give the invocation.

Jimmy Munozcano greets Anita McDonald and Arturo Mojica

Guests

Jimmy introduced Micah Stipmin who is interested in possibly joining our club. He then asked DG Kirk to introduce our other special guests Vicki Puliz and Steve Langenbrick, representatives from RI who will be presenters at the District Membership Seminar on August 11.

Queen of Hearts

Jeff Hamstra reported over $1030 available to split with the winner, but Matt Matthewson came up Queen-less.

Sergeant-at-Arms

Bob Stofft provided historical tidbits in a hysterically fun manner and took in big bucks.

Speaker

Matt Matthewson had the honor of introducing one of our very own CRC members, Werner Kruesi. For 23 years Werner served as the CEO of FISBA AG, a worldwide leading supplier of customized optical systems and components, headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland. In 2016 Werner brought FISBA to Optics Valley in Tucson, Arizona, where he serves as Managing Director.

Werner began by saying his hope was to explain Photonics so that it was understandable by all. FISBA is a world market leader in the Industry. He began my answering the question what is Photonics?

Photonics is an area of study that involves the use of radiant energy, such as light. The fundamental element of light is the photon. Photonic applications use the photon in the same way electronic applications use the electron. Devices that run on light have a number of advantages over those that use electricity.

Werner explained that Optics is a science that deals with the genesis and propagation of light, the changes that it undergoes and produces, and other phenomenon closely associated with it. (Photonics is derived from the Greek word “phos” meaning light.)

FISBA considers Photonics as the emerging technology of the 21st century, with the comparable standing that electronics had in the 20th century and still has. Photonics is an enabler for countless functions in applications in modern life and industry.

Werner shared major applications of Optics and Photonics in medical and life sciences, defense and security, communication and sensing.

Werner closed by describing why people love to work in Optics and Photonics. The materials are clean and pure and there are jobs offering a wide and interesting work spectrum and because Optics and Photonics are full of beauty.

Check out these photos from the meeting. If you’d like to view captions, click on a photo to open the gallery.