Laser developer and maker Rofin-Sinar Technologies will appoint Thomas Merk as the company's president and CEO, effective July 1, 2015. Merk, who currently serves as COO of the company's Laser Micro and Marking Group, will succeed current president and CEO Günther Braun. Also at that time, Braun will resign as a director of the company and Merk will assume the vacant position and become a member of the company's Board of Directors.
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Dr. Peter Wirth, Board of Directors chairman, says that Braun was instrumental in leading the company through many phases of technological innovation, with the most recent being the company's third generation of high-power fiber lasers.
Merk has served as COO of the company's Laser Micro Group since December 2005, the Laser Marking business since July 2006, and a managing director of Rofin‐Baasel Lasertech GmbH & Co. KG since May 2000. He started his career in 1989 at Boehringer Werkzeugmaschinen Vertriebs GmbH and remained there until 2000, most recently serving as sales director. He holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Stuttgart.
Braun has been president and CEO of the company since May 2005 and a member of the company's Board of Directors since September 1996. He previously served as executive VP, finance and administration; CFO; and treasurer from September 1996 to May 2005. He joined Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH in 1989.