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About Us

We are a leading manufacturer of fiber optic measurement solutions.

Our Vision

To help create a world where no technology company is stifled in their innovation of new products.

Photon Control enables the advancement of technology through sensing

Since our founding in 1988, we have dedicated three decades to develop differentiated solutions necessary for key innovations at our customers. We have maintained a strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and determination to become the industry leader in fiber optic sensing solutions in the semiconductor industry. Today, we continue to listen to your high value needs to provide solutions that enable you to measure what matters to advance your technology.

Customer-Focused

First and foremost we are customer-focused and pride ourselves in responding rapidly in solving complex, real-world customer challenges. Our team of experts provide the highest quality products and services to help you measure more of what matters, to develop new and advanced technologies and differentiate your products from your competition.

Industry Leader

We have been the market leader in providing temperature sensors to the semiconductor wafer fab equipment (WFE) market for over 10 years. Over 150,000 Photon Control fiber optic temperature sensors are currently deployed in semiconductor fabs worldwide, proving our commitment to invest into innovation, product reliability, and manufacturing quality and expertise. We are leveraging this experience and proven track record to bring our solutions and expertise to other high-tech industries and extreme environment applications.

World-class manufacturing

Our R&D and manufacturing operates out of an ISO 9001 2015 certified 13,000 square-foot facility with an ISO Class 6 cleanroom specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of the semiconductor industry. Our products go through highly-controlled testing and calibration before shipment to ensure our customers receive the highest quality and most reliable solution.

Management

Nigel Hunton

Chief Executive Officer

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Damian Towns

Chief Financial Officer

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Eva Valencia

VP, Semiconductor Sales

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Phil Schick

VP, Technology & Operations

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Nigel Hunton

Chief Executive Officer

Damian Towns

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Eva Valencia

VP, SEMICONDUCTOR SALES

Phil Schick

VP, Technology & Operations

Board

D. Neil McDonnell

Chair
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Nigel Hunton

President, CEO and Director

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Michele Klein

Independent Director

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Chuck Cargile

Independent Director

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Ronan McGrath

Independent Director

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D. Neil McDonnell

Chair

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Nigel Hunton

PRESIDENT, CEO AND DIRECTOR

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Michele Klein

Independent Director

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Chuck Cargile

Independent Director

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Ronan McGrath

Independent Director

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Corporate Governance

Board and Committee Mandates and Position Descriptions

  • Board of Directors Mandate
  • Audit Committee Mandate
  • Compensation Committee Mandate
  • Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Mandate
  • Position Descriptions

Codes, Policies, and Additional Information

  • Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
  • Majority Voting Policy
  • Articles of Incorporation of Photon Control Inc.

Broadening our Technologies

At Photon Control we are committed to expanding our technology and product portfolio to better serve you and grow our market reach. We continuously innovate and develop new technologies, products and services that fit your evolving application needs.

Global Reach

Photon Control has locations in North America and distributors across Asia and Europe to serve our customers around the world.

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Opportunities at Photon Control

Our people are what make us the successful, innovative company we are today, and we are always looking for talented people across a range of disciplines. We promote a dynamic, professional working environment that rewards initiative, collaborative and individual contributions.

While we do work hard, our social committee ensures that we also enjoy ourselves, with group activities and a variety of after hours social events throughout the year.

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TSX:PHO

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  Copyright © 2020

Nigel Hunton

PRESIDENT, CEO AND DIRECTOR

Mr. Hunton has over 30 years of executive experience in the semi industry. He has served as a Director, the President & CEO of Photon Control Inc. since May 2019. From April 2017 to April 2019, he was President and COO of Ferrotec (USA) Corporation, a leading supplier of materials and components to the semiconductor industry. He was an independent consultant from January 2016 to March 2017. From 2012 to 2015, he was CEO of MBA Polymers Inc., the world’s leading cleantech recycler of high value plastics. Prior to his role at MBA Polymers Inc., Mr. Hunton had a 27-year career at BOC and Edwards where he held various positions, including serving as CEO of Edwards from 2006 to 2010 where he was responsible for the sale of Edwards to a private equity firm and successfully restructuring the company, and Chair from 2010 to 2011 where he positioned the company for its eventual IPO in May 2012. Mr. Hunton earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

DAMIAN TOWNS

CFO & CORPORATE SECRETARY

Mr. Towns has over 25 years of finance experience, and has extensive public company experience with more than 10 years in senior executive roles. He has served as CFO and Corporate Secretary of Photon Control Inc. since May 2020. He has significant experience in high growth companies and has worked with both development and operating stage companies and acutely understands the risks associated with building and growing companies whether organically or via acquisition. He was most recently the CFO, Corporate Secretary and Executive Director at Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd., a company which utilizes a disruptive patented technology from MIT combining Active 3D Imaging and AI to detect concealed items in the urban security environment. Prior to that he served as CFO and Corporate Secretary at Coro Mining Corp. Mr. Towns is a Canadian Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) and has a First-Class Honours Degree in Accounting and Finance (combined) from the University of Otago, New Zealand.

EVA VALENCIA

VP, SEMICONDUCTOR SALES

Ms. Valencia has more than 25 years of experience in the semiconductor industry as a key account director. She has been with Photon Control Inc. since July 2019 and has been VP, Semiconductor Sales for Photon Control since April 1, 2020. Ms. Valencia is in charge of the Company’s direct and indirect sales efforts and business development strategies. Before joining Photon Control, she most recently was the sales director for FerroTec Corporation, a manufacturer of advanced material, component and assembly solutions. Prior to FerroTec Corporation, Ms. Valencia spent 5 years cultivating sales and business relationships with a major semiconductor OEM customer while working at Maine Machine Products Company, a manufacturer of custom components and assemblies targeting high-tech industries, and Entegris, Inc., a provider of products and systems that purify, protect and transport critical materials used in the semiconductor fabrication process. Ms. Valencia started her career as a member of the sales team at Praxair, where she developed a focus on helping to solve customers’ critical challenges through technology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Notre Dame de Namur University.

PHIL SCHICK

VP, TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS

Mr. Schick has over 20 years of product, engineering, and manufacturing experience, including 19 years in the fields of photonics and lighting. Mr. Schick has been with Photon Control Inc. since December 2018 and VP, Technology & Operations since April 1, 2020. Mr. Schick has several years of executive experience including Chief Innovation Officer and Founder at Cooledge Lighting. Prior to that, he was a pioneer of solid-state lighting with Philips Lighting/TIR Systems, leading the development of the groundbreaking Lexel technology. Mr. Schick has also worked on innovations in telecom with Lumenon Innovative Lightwave Technologies, and electronics manufacturing with Visteon / Ford Electronics, implementing lean manufacturing into high volume production. He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from McGill University, and a Master of Business Administration from UBC.

D. Neil McDonnell

BOARD CHAIR

Mr. McDonnell has served as a Director of Photon Control Inc. since 2016, Chair of the Board of Directors since 2017, and held the position of Interim CEO from December 2018 until May 2019. He has been President and CEO of Javini Holdings Co., a strategic advisory firm since June 2000. A recognized leader in the Canadian technology space, Mr. McDonnell is currently Chair of Nanotech Security Corp, Director of Quorum Information Technologies Inc., and Director of Redline Communications Inc. He was previously Chair of Agreement Express Inc., Chair of BasicGov Systems, Inc., Director of Espial, Chair of EDP Software, Executive Chair of ResponseTek, Chair of QHR Technologies Inc., Director of Symbility Software Inc., and CEO of Wurldtech Security Technologies Ltd. Mr. McDonnell holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto.

Michele Klein

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Ms. Klein has served as a Director of Photon Control Inc. since October 2017, and is Chair of the M&A Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Klein has been the CEO and a Director of Jasper Ridge Inc., a technology company developing equipment to improve vision since 2010. Prior to Jasper Ridge Inc., Ms. Klein was Senior Director of Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, Inc., where she recommended and managed investments in energy storage and solar energy, representing Applied Materials on the boards of seven technology companies. Ms. Klein co-founded Boxer Cross Inc., a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, serving as CEO and Director from 1997 until its acquisition by Applied Materials, Inc. in 2003. She previously co-founded and was a Director of High Yield Technology Inc., a semiconductor metrology company, from 1986 until its acquisition by Pacific Scientific in 1996. Prior to that, Ms. Klein held management positions at Knoll International and Hewlett-Packard. Ms. Klein is a Director of Intevac Inc, manufacturer of thin film deposition and sensor equipment, a Director of Gridtential Energy Inc., battery technology pioneer, an advisory board member of Illuminate Ventures, and a former Chair of Stanford Women on Boards. Ms. Klein earned a BS from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Chuck Cargile

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Mr. Cargile has served as a Director of Photon Control Inc. since March 2017 and is Chair of the Compensation, Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee. Mr. Cargile has been the CFO of Tattooed Chef, Inc., formerly Itella International, LLC, since August 2020. Tattooed Chef is a plant-based food company with a broad portfolio of innovative plant-based food products. From March 2017 to August 2020, Mr. Cargile served as the CEO of Sunworks, Inc. a premier provider of high-performance solar power solutions for agriculture, commercial, industrial, public works and residential markets. Mr. Cargile is currently non-executive Chair of Sunworks.  Mr. Cargile previously served as the CFO of Newport Corp., a position he held from 2000 until 2016, at which time Newport Corp. was acquired by MKS Instruments, Inc.  Mr. Cargile has an extensive background in financial and strategic planning, public company business development, operations, information technology, capital structure management and board governance matters. Prior to his role at Newport Corp., he worked at York International Corporation (now part of Johnson Controls) and Flowserve Corporation.  Mr. Cargile holds an Advanced Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

Ronan McGrath

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Mr. McGrath has served as a Director of Photon Control Inc. since July 2016, served as Lead Director from December 2018 until May 2019, and is Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. McGrath is an investor and corporate director. He also consults on strategic issues to major technology companies. Mr. McGrath is currently a Director and Audit Committee Chair of Nanotech Security Corp., and has previously served as Lead Director and Audit Committee Chair of Symbility Solutions Inc. He is the former Chief Information Officer of Rogers Communications Inc. and former President of Rogers Shared Services. He was responsible for the team that restructured the alliance between Rogers and Microsoft in July 1999. Prior to his role at Rogers, Mr. McGrath was the Chief Information Officer of Canadian National Railway Company, responsible for the complete rebuild of its information technology capability, the restructuring of the company, and the development of the initial strategic review of the company’s future that led to privatization of the company. He was awarded the Chief Information Officer of the Year award in Canada in 1995, has served in the past on the advisory boards of a number of technology companies, including Compaq Computer Corporation and Lotus Development Corporation, and is a past Chair of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC). Mr. McGrath, a Chartered Accountant, is a graduate in Business Administration at Trinity College, Dublin.

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