In the area of both Workforce Development and “members helping members” we are launching our Walt Czajkowski scholarship drive in today’s newsletter. How is the scholarship different? It is open to anyone in the field of optics, including current workers continuing their education, trade schools, and traditional education paths. Awards will be chosen annually by a joint committee of APOMA, including Walt’s family and SPIE. The scholarship funds will be administered by SPIE, so any donations are tax exempt. Furthermore, SPIE has generously agreed to match any funds. The donation period starts today, and we will be driving through Photonics West. The size and duration of the awards is contingent on how much we can raise, and we will be keeping the APOMA membership updated. Thank you to the following companies/individuals who have already pledged support: Czajkowski Family, Lee Steneken/ Esco Optics, Jim Sydor/Sydor Optics, Tim Kennedy/ Edmund Optics, Pat Iulianello/Accucoat, Erik and Pam Larsen/Larsen Equipment Design. This newsletter is open to the general public. For further information contact me at yvette@apoma.org

In the area of government advocacy, we inducted Rep. Joe Morelle (NY) as our first ever Honorary Member, further strengthening APOMA’s relationship to the bipartisan Optics and Photonics Caucus that he co-chairs. I also went to Washington D.C. in September, attending SPIE's Photonics Industry Days and meeting with representatives on both sides of the aisle, articulating the importance of precision optics across the USA. I was thrilled to be there with many elite APOMA members but was cognizant that not everyone in APOMA is able to send staff. My goal was to speak on behalf of members who did not send someone and keep you - the job creators and often small businesses that are the backbone of precision optics - on these elected officials minds. Thank you to my newly formed Government Relations and Advocacy Committee, we will be sharing with APOMA members more inside information and strategy regarding our outreach efforts.

I’ve also attended two Luminate events, the Regional Showcase in Rochester with APOMA President Zach Hobbs and the Investor Summit in NYC with APOMA Secretary Chris Russell in anticipation of the first ever APOMA Optics Innovator Award, to be given during the Luminate finals in Rochester, NY on October 22^nd.  For those unfamiliar with Luminate it is the world’s largest business accelerator for startups and with optics, photonics, and imaging-enabled technologies. So why is APOMA getting involved? We want to find the next start up in optics that might change the world. We want this company to be involved with APOMA from the start, giving them access to our members’ vast resources and members’ access to their product/technology. The official judge on behalf of APOMA is President Zach Hobbs. This event is free and open to the public - check out the information below and register today!

See everyone at SPIE Optifab – October 20^th - 23^rd in Rochester NY. This is the only conference that APOMA jointly sponsors with SPIE. We have exciting things planned including the Opti-Fabulous party on Monday eve October 20^th. The theme is “booth appreciation” and all APOMA members in good standing are invited to attend, but we are really trying to shout out the booth warriors - those that took a red eye, spent the day setting up, dealt with a broken display sign, had their flight rescheduled, etc. Valuable prizes will be awarded in select categories, great food, drinks, and comradery. I personally made my biggest sale ever at a trade show to a fellow exhibitor, my next-door booth mate, so it’s all for one and one for all! We have bought out a venue and invites will be arriving via email to members this week. We have also reserved a private space for APOMA members during Optifab to take customer meetings, get away from the floor for lunch/email, or just chill. Finally, the APOMA General Meeting is the morning of October 22^nd - details are below, see you there!

Warmly,
Yvette

APOMA 2025 Election update

The APOMA Board of Directors will have one opening up for election at the end of 2025: At-large member. The position term will run from 2026-2027, taking the seat at Photonics West 2026 at the APOMA Annual Meeting. Please watch your email Inbox for a call for nominees! More information will be provided at the APOMA General Meeting at SPIE Optifab in Rochester, NY. Questions on the APOMA election can be sent to Chris Russell, APOMA Secretary, at email: ChrisR@universalphotonics.com  

APOMA 2026 Dues Invoicing

APOMA members-- check your Inboxes! The 2026 member dues renewals have gone out and were sent to the requested point of contact at your organization. Prompt renewals are appreciated. 2026 will be an exciting year, with the Tech Workshop taking place in Fall 2026. As a reminder, only APOMA members in good standing (dues paid) are eligible to send representatives to the APOMA Tech Workshop event. Thank you for your support!

APOMA Bestows First-Ever Honorary Membership on Congressman Joseph Morelle

APOMA is proud to announce that Congressman Joseph Morelle was recently named the organization’s first-ever Honorary Member, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the optics manufacturing industry. The designation, authorized under APOMA’s bylaws but never before awarded in the association’s nearly 40-year history, was presented to Congressman Morelle during a special ceremony in Rochester, NY in August. Strictly an APOMA members only event, attendees included APOMA board members (past and present) and APOMA executives in the Congressman’s district. Following the ceremony, the organization presented Congressman Morelle with a commemorative plaque and group photograph marking the occasion.

A full press release about the event is available HERE.

APOMA Launches Preferred Partner Program

APOMA Preferred Partners are trusted organizations recommended by current APOMA members in good standing. These partners offer specialized services that support our members’ success, including:

• Tax credit and incentive specialists;
• ISO and quality certification consultants;
• Insurance providers;
• Business services such as HR, legal, risk management;
• Industry-specific technology and software.

APOMA’s first ever Preferred Partner is RK Partners!

RK Partners are tax incentives specialists with a national presence working in every state. They are compliance driven and use a simple three-step process to help your company secure lucrative R&D tax credits. See a full list of their capabilities in assisting manufacturing companies HERE. 

RK Partners is personally referred by APOMA member ER Precision Optics:

“RK Partners did a great job of finding all qualifying R&D work in my business and documenting it professionally. We were also able to find current work that will qualify for our claim next year, so I look forward to working with them in the future! I would recommend using RK Partners to look into your current process, they have very specialized people over there that will make sure you get the best possible benefit within the regulations.”
— Mark Hess, ER Precision Optics

Ready to reach out?

Contact Sam at the information below, and make sure to mention that your company is a member of APOMA!

Sam Wooldridge, Senior Partner

swooldridge@rk.partners | Ph# 929-713-3760

For full details on the program, please click HERE.