It’s been an incredible few months serving as the Executive Director of APOMA, and I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know so many of you in the optics community. Whether we’ve connected in person—like at the recent (and very sweaty) WNY Golf Tournament—or through LinkedIn, my mission remains the same: bring value to our members. Here are a few highlights I’m excited to share:
🔍 Thought Leadership We’ve got a compelling new article dropping soon—an interview with Jason Hess of ER Precision, conducted by Lee Steneken and myself. It dives deep into germanium supply and recycling—stay tuned!
🇺🇸 Government Advocacy APOMA is now actively engaged with the federal Optics & Photonics Caucus, and I’ll be heading to D.C. this September to ensure your voices are heard on Capitol Hill. More to come—including a toolkit on how you can get involved with your own representatives.
🏆 Luminate Finals – Mark Your Calendar! Wednesday, October 22nd at 4:30 PM After Optifab wraps up, head over to the Luminate Finals to cheer on the next wave of optics innovation. Sure, the winner gets $2 million—but let’s be honest, the real prize is the APOMA Award:
1-year APOMA membership
Complimentary admission to our 2026 Tech Workshop
$500 travel stipend
Judging this year’s APOMA prize? The ever-discerning Zach Hobbs, APOMA President.
💡 Stay Connected This eNews and our APOMA LinkedIn page are designed for anyone passionate about precision optics manufacturing. Thanks for reading— See you at OptiFab (or in your Inbox)!
Warmly, Yvette
WNY Optics Golf Tournament Recap
The 25th annual WNY Optics Golf Tournament drew over 350 golfers, and APOMA members showed up in force! Despite the wild weather—90 degrees, wind, and some surprise showers—spirits stayed high and play continued (albeit a little moist). Fortunately, the APOMA branded coolers were there for players to load up on their favorite beverages and stay “hydrated.” Big shout out to all the first-time golfers who braved the elements and helped make the day a success. This was for a great cause - Golisano Children's Hospital, where over $500,000 has been donated since the tournament started.
Pho Xayavong (Universal Photonics) models the APOMA cooler!
2025 DoD Northeast Regional Council Conference & Matchmaker
Do you want to sell directly to the government or major prime contractors? Then don’t miss the 2025 DoD Northeast Regional Council Conference & Matchmaker, happening in Rochester, NY on August 12–13. This is your chance to get in the room, make connections, and explore real contract opportunities.
APOMA Executive Director Yvette Pagano will be attending as a resource partner—stop by the APOMA table and say hello! Remember, new business starts with a handshake. You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.
Get social with APOMA!
4 Easy Ways to Improve your Businesses SEO and Ranking
1️. Connect personally with Yvette Pagano, APOMA Executive Director, on LinkedIn.
Tip: When posting about APOMA on LinkedIn, be sure to tag @APOMA American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association in your posts.
4️. Ensure your company’s LinkedIn page follows APOMA We follow all APOMA member companies in good standing and it helps your SEO and Google ranking if you follow us back.
Need LinkedIn assistance?
If you'd like help setting up or optimizing your LinkedIn connections or establishing a company LinkedIn page, contact Yvette atyvette@apoma.orgto schedule a member working session.
Committees Are Back - Seeking Volunteers!
Government Relations & Advocacy Committee
Are you passionate about policy, legislation, and ensuring our voice is heard? Join the Government Relations & Advocacy Committee to help shape our organization’s approach to public policy and advocacy. This group will build relationships with local and state officials, track legislation, and support initiatives that align with our mission and priorities. If you want to make a real impact on issues that matter to our members and the communities we serve, this is the committee for you!
Workforce Development Committee
The Workforce Development Committee focuses on building a stronger future workforce through education, training, and opportunity. This team supports programs like apprenticeships, upskilling initiatives, scholarships, and career pathway development. If you're committed to helping individuals advance their skills and careers while addressing workforce gaps in our region, we’d love to have you on board!
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