Meet Our Team

As Chief Executive Officer for Wasatch Photonics since February 2017, David oversees the operations, growth, and strategy for our gratings, spectroscopy, and OCT products. Trained as a laser spectroscopist, he brings a deep technical understanding of optical technology and applications to the company’s product roadmap and vision. Under his leadership, Wasatch Photonics continues to leverage its position as a technology innovator while expanding its systems and infrastructure to become a world-class OEM supplier.

David brings 20 years’ experience in sales, OEM business development, product development strategy, and marketing of spectroscopy, laser, and optoelectronic instrumentation. In his previous role as VP of Sales and Marketing at a leading spectroscopy company, he was responsible for significant year-on-year growth, as well as the development of several new spectrometer and application-ready products. He brings a strong OEM focus to Wasatch Photonics, having served in manager and director-level positions in Europe and globally for manufacturers and distributors of lasers, spectrometers, detectors and related systems throughout his career.

David holds a BS in Chemistry from the University of Leeds, as well as a PhD in Chemistry for his work in remote instrumentation for atmospheric sensing.

As the Vice President of Marketing at Wasatch Photonics, Cicely plays a crucial role in promoting the company’s products and driving marketing strategies, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and its real-world impact. Her expertise spans areas such as spectroscopy, optical filters, fiber optics, optical coherence tomography and ultrafast lasers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Chemistry from the University of New Brunswick, and a Masters in Physics from McMaster University. She is passionate about making complex scientific concepts accessible to a wider audience.

Cicely is a seasoned journalist and an expert in the field of spectroscopy. With a passion for connecting people and technology, she has made significant contributions to the scientific community. She has written extensively for publications such as Photonics.com and Spectroscopy. Her articles cover topics ranging from nanostructured SERS substrates to the application of Raman spectroscopy in the food industry. She has also written about the development of diode array spectrometers in the 1990s, and how these instruments revolutionized spectroscopy by providing instant spectra in a compact, low-cost footprint. See a full list of citations here.

Michael joined Wasatch Photonics in 2016 as the Vice President of Business Development at the  Morrisville facility, and now leads the spectroscopy division. Michael’s background in Materials Science and Optics position him to quickly grasp customers’ technical requirements for gratings and spectroscopy applications, while his start-up and international business experience informs the strategic deployment of Wasatch’s technical capabilities to target emerging market needs.

Michael brings experience in strategy, OEM sales and business development of spectroscopy products to Wasatch Photonics, having served in manager and director-level positions at a spectroscopy company in Europe over the previous 7 years. His understanding of process engineering and operations positions him well to serve Wasatch Photonics as it grows.

Michael holds a BS and MS in Materials Science engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology), and an Engineering Management MS and MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Misty Johnson is responsible for taking care of our grating customers at the Logan, Utah, facility. She has been a member of the Wasatch Photonics team since 2009. By understanding her customers’ needs and goals, as well as the current grating market, Misty is able to provide a superior level of customer support. As Account Manager, she acts as a liaison between customers and Wasatch Photonics’ manufacturing department making sure that the lines of communication are always open.

Customer support is an integral part of Wasatch Photonics commitment to customers. Whether you are in the market to purchase a single grating, inquiring as a distributor, or purchasing large volume, Misty will guide you seamlessly through the custom design process. Misty strives to build trust and strong long term relationships with Wasatch Photonics customers. She brings 20 years’ experience as customer support manager from a number of manufacturing and service companies.

Elroy Pearson holds the role of Senior Optical Engineer at Wasatch Photonics, to which he brings deep holographic experience as well as multi-disciplinary breadth. Elroy studied computer engineering initially, going on to pursue an MSc at MIT with a thesis in holographic displays. Early in his career, he apprenticed with the founder of Wasatch Photonics, during which time he helped develop the world class gratings for which the company is known. For over 14 years, Elroy has led and contributed to optical design teams working on holographic technologies and tools ranging from large-aperture, multiplexed holographic optics for lidar to holographic data storage as well as holographic printers and holographic video displays. He spent another decade of his career creating automated and microfabricated tools for pharmaceutical research, optical zoom camera modules for consumer electronics, giving him a unique perspective and insight into the applications of holographic optical elements.

Liz Cellan is the corporate controller of Wasatch Photonics, who is responsible for all accounting and business operations for both the Logan and Durham locations. Liz is an experienced finance professional who joined Wasatch Photonics in 2010, after having served in controllership functions for 6 years. She is well seasoned in managing complex inventories as well as front office operations. She manages the day-to-day administrative operations, vendor relations and procurement for the Logan facility; and oversees the inventory management systems for both facilities. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Utah State University, and a Master of Accountancy from Southern Utah University.

Jeff is a seasoned operations manager and supply chain professional with over 20 years of experience in the consumer goods industry. As the General Manager at Wasatch Photonics’ Morrisville, NC site, Jeff ‘s goal is to build reliable, repeatable processes that produce consistent quality and on-time deliveries. He implements Six Sigma, Lean, and other continuous improvement methodologies at Wasatch Photonics to drive a culture of “winning the hour = winning the day” and to achieve sustainable results in the facility. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management, and Operations from Indiana Wesleyan University, and is a Six Sigma Green Belt.

As Director of Operations at the facility in Logan, Utah, Joel oversees all aspects of manufacturing Wasatch Photonics’ volume phase holographic gratings and holographic optical elements. Joel brings experience in managing industrial manufacturing teams spanning design, purchasing, shipping, and finance. As an experienced mechanical designer, he takes a hands-on approach to operations management, keeping a strong customer focus throughout the process.

Joel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems from Utah State University and an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Western Governors University.

As the Vice President of Operations at Wasatch Photonics, Alexis Calvert plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and ensuring the company’s success. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Meredith College and a Graduate Certificate from North Carolina State University. Her educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in business management and leadership. Before joining Wasatch Photonics, Alexis worked as a Program Manager at Eaton, where she honed her skills in project management, process optimization, and team collaboration. Her contributions were instrumental in enhancing operational efficiency and achieving organizational goals.

As VP of Operations at Wasatch Photonics, Alexis oversees critical aspects of the company’s operations, including supply chain management, production processes, quality control, and strategic planning. Her commitment to excellence ensures that Wasatch Photonics continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions to its clients.

Tiff Hopkins is an accomplished supply chain professional with a wealth of experience and expertise. His dedication to advancing end-to-end supply chain management has made him a valuable member of the Wasatch Photonics senior management team. Tiff holds a prestigious Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designation from the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). This certification, launched in 2006, has been earned by over 13,000 professionals across 78 countries. It signifies mastery of supply chain management best practices and specialized knowledge. Additionally, he is a Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM 7.0) and a certification from the International Consortium for Agile Business Management (ICGB).

As Supply Chain Director, Tiff helps Wasatch Photonics to successfully navigated complex supply chain challenges, optimizing processes and driving efficiency. His strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities have led to significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction. As a seasoned professional, he has collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance supply chain visibility, demand planning, and inventory control.