Leadership Team
TIM JENKS
Tim Jenks is an experienced Chief Executive, Board Chairman, General Manager and Corporate Advisor in public and private companies.He is the former Chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics Corporation, a leading global supplier of lasers and optoelectronic products to transmit high-speed digital optical signals in Cloud and hyperscale data center and telecom networks. NeoPhotonics was the largest provider of semiconductor tunable lasers in the industry. Tim led NeoPhotonics for more than 20 years, from venture-funded start-up to public company. The company merged with Lumentum Holdings in 2022. Tim previously served in positions of increasing responsibility at Raychem Corporation, a materials engineering company which was acquired by Tyco International Ltd. (now TE Connectivity Ltd.) in 1998. He is a former nuclear-power trained naval officer, having served on multiple nuclear surface ships, and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Marine Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
BOB ZAK
Initially as an advisor and now as COO, Bob brings a mix of tech startup and large operational leadership experience to PowerLight. As SVP at Ecova (now Engie), he led a diverse operational group 950+ strong and was part of the executive team that executed the sale of the company for over $330M. Bob also has startup experience in the Smart Grid and Sustainability domains where, as a founder and CEO, he has painted the walls, built teams, raised venture capital, led development groups that produced scalable solutions and worked closely with international partners. He believes the key to working relationships, almost without fail, is being on the same page regarding expectations. Bob holds a B.S. in Industrial Distribution from Central Washington University and attended the University of Alabama Birmingham’s School of Business Special Studies, Industrial Distribution Program
TOM NUGENT
Since starting his work on optical wireless power as the first CEO and president of PowerLight predecessor LaserMotive 10 years ago, Tom has shifted into the CTO role. Prior, he was a project scientist at Intellectual Ventures Labs, a multidisciplinary early-stage R&D laboratory in Bellevue, Washington. While there, he was involved in the Photonic Fence project that used lasers to kill mosquitoes, as well as in unpublished medical device projects. He also once served as the research director at LiftPort Inc. One of Tom’s proudest achievements was helping the LaserMotive team win the 2009 NASA Centennial Challenge for power beaming. His pride continuously extends beyond this moment, however, for bringing together disparate technologies and people to make novel solutions to technical problems. About the technology, he says, “I particularly enjoy turning science fiction into reality, and seeing how amazed people are when they think about ways they could use it.” Tom holds a bachelor of science in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master of science in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT. He also has a certificate in Japanese from the University of Pittsburgh.
MIKE HARTNETT
Mike is VP of Business Development on the PowerLight team supporting our market development and commercialization efforts. He has more than twenty-five years of experience in the international telecom, technology, and defense markets and has worked successfully from venture capital backed startups through multinational corporate planning. Mike began his career as an Infantry Officer in the US Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Norwich University, a Master’s Degree in International Security Studies from the Fletcher School, Tufts University, and is currently conducting Ph.D. research into how the global adoption and diffusion of technological innovations are impacting international security and development.
BILL BRITTS
Bill Britts leads our efforts to create new applications and uses of power beaming, together with partners. He has extensive senior executive leadership experience in the enterprise IT market from start-up to 1000+ employee companies, as well as having developed technology solutions for applications ranging from aerospace to enterprises. Bill has been successful in leading growth and transformation of businesses by combining data-driven analytical skills with strong connections to customers and partners. His experience has spanned the growth of VC backed technology companies through multi-national enterprises. Bill has worked with companies including Quantum, ADIC, Boeing and Raychem. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Board Members
CLAES OLSSON
Over the course of 45 years, Claes has held a variety of position across many industries. In addition to serving our company as the chairman of the board and previously as a senior business advisor, he is the director of the board for EoScene Corporation. He is also the president, CEO and founder of CRH International Inc., providing consulting, advisory, and management; extended knowledge throughout Europe and North America; venture and angel financing; and real estate investments. Claes was also the president, CEO, founder and chairman of the board for PowerIt Holdings, Inc. Under his leadership, its subsidiary, PowerIt Solutions, completed successful funding rounds of more than $18 million, and grew to include more than 70 employees and contractors across three countries. Notably, in 2010, PowerIt Solutions was ranked No. 71 in the Deloitte Technology Fast™ 500. From all of his years in building companies, he has learned that open communication is the key to success, believing “If you can’t talk about it, you can’t solve the problem.” He has also found that he particularly enjoys working with young entrepreneurs, giving them advice arising from his years of experience in supporting numerous international companies. Claes graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1988, from Lunds University, Sweden, with a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting in 1973, and Helsingborg Technical College in Sweden with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1969.
SCOTT I. ANDERSON
Scott was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Northeast Wireless Networks, LLC, a regional cellular carrier, where he served from 2013-2020 before selling its network to a major telecom provider. He has significant experience & knowledge ranging from Telecommunication and Defense industries to mergers and acquisitions, having been involved in several successful exits. Since 1997-98, Scott has been a principal in Cedar Grove Partners, LLC and in Cedar Grove Investments, LLC, an investment partnership and a private seed capital fund, respectively. From 1986 until 1997, Mr. Anderson was employed by McCaw Cellular Communications and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., where he served in various legal and M&A-related positions, including Senior Vice President of the Acquisitions and Development group. Scott is also Chairman of the Board at Opanga, Inc. as well as serves as a member of the Boards of Kratos Defense and Security, Inc., Saltchuk Resources and Anvil Corporation. He graduated from the University of Washington magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in History. Mr. Anderson earned his Law degree (J.D.), with highest honors (valedictorian) from the University of Washington Law School.
Our Advisors
Lori Bass
Lori is a highly experienced financial executive with a strong background in accounting, financial management, and government contracting. She currently serves as an Account Executive with ReliAscent LLC where she advises PowerLight as their CFO. Prior to working with PowerLight, she served as the Chief Financial Officer at Composite Technology Development, Inc., previously holding roles as VP of Finance and Senior Finance & Contracts Manager. In these positions, she oversaw financial operations, compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), strategic business projections, and contract negotiations while serving as the main interface with the Board of Directors. Before joining Composite Technology Development, Lori worked at PBC, Inc. from 2000 to 2005 as an Accounting Manager and Senior Accountant, where she supervised a team providing full-cycle accounting for various small businesses. Earlier in her career, she was a Staff Accountant at Montgomery Watson, Inc. from 1999 to 2000, handling monthly billings for government and commercial customers. She holds an MBA with a focus on Finance and Accounting from Regis University and has developed a strong expertise in financial planning, compliance, and operational budgeting across multiple industries.
BARRIE GRAHAM
Barrie is a senior advisor at WR Hambrecht+Co, an investment banking firm in San Francisco. Barrie is also an advisor to several startup companies and a board member of Truett Hurst Winery. Prior to joining WRH+Co, Barrie was the president and chief executive officer of Exchange Bank in Santa Rosa, California, and a senior manager of Wells Fargo in San Francisco. He is on two for-profit boards and several not-for-profit boards. He serves as the chairman of the Marines Memorial Foundation in San Francisco, as a former marine infantry officer. Barrie has a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University and a degree in Industrial Engineering from Clarkson University. He is also a graduate of the Executive Management Program at Harvard University, and a graduate and past chairman of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.
Johan Bjorklund
Johan is a senior executive leader applying rich industry experience with strategic and operational focus in building and growing business. He has gained broad international market expertise leading business success in the US, APAC, and EMEA with a record of creating profitable business models in emerging business segments for software, hardware and services. His broad functional background includes executive P&L management, business development, mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, customer service, vendor management, and integration and business optimizations.
Kent Williams
Kent is an advisor to innovative companies in the automotive, life science and alternative energy sectors. He assists companies commercializing efficient and environmentally friendly powertrain and lidar technologies. He advises battery and battery recycling companies. He serves as managing member of Vista Asset Management LLC. He received his MBA from St. Mary’s College of California and BA from University of California at Berkeley.
LTG Stephen Lanza (Ret.)
LTG Stephen Lanza spent over 30 years filling numerous roles in the US Army. Most recently, he served as the Commanding General for the US Army I Corps, Joint Base Lewis McChord and Combined Joint Task Force Courage. He has commanded Soldiers at every echelon from Platoon to Corps, including the 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord; and the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. LTG Lanza’s operational deployment experience includes Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia; Operation Joint Guard, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Kosovo; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; and Operation New Dawn, Iraq. His senior staff assignments include Chief of the Joint Capabilities Division, J8, the Joint Staff; Deputy Commanding General for V Corps, US Army Europe and Seventh Army; and G3, Chief of Operations, US Army Europe and Seventh Army. LTG Lanza earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and the National Defense University. He was also a Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI, an educational program for leaders in US national security and foreign policy. He is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and serves on the advisory board for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and is a Trustee for St. Martin’s University.
Luis Spinelli
Luis is the former CTO of Coherent, Inc., a leading global supplier of lasers and photonics technology. As part of his role, he led IP management and created/managed the Advanced Research Unit (ARU), which was responsible for the acquisition and development of new technologies including Optically Pumped Semiconductor and High-Power Fiber lasers. Luis also created and managed the Optics RD Group, which included a facility incorporating various film deposition platforms with the goal of advancing thin film technology.