In memoriam: Jay Kumler, photonics industry expert

Jay Kumler, a longtime photonics industry expert, passed away February 10, 2025 at the age of 61.

Jay was president of JENOPTIK North America, Inc. and JENOPTIK Optical Systems, LLC for many years. A member of the Jenoptik Executive Management Committee, he consulted on and actively shaped the development of Jenoptik’s photonics-based business in the US.

Jay earned a B.S. in Physics from Miami University and a M.S. in Optics from the University of Rochester. He designed optical systems for United Technologies and Bell Laboratories prior to founding Coastal Optical Systems in 1991, which he led for 10 years before the company was acquired by Jenoptik. With nearly 40 years of experience in optics and photonics, Jay has published 20 technical papers, book chapters, and patents.

Jay regularly spoke on photonics and was passionate about advancing the industry. He was an SPIE Fellow, served on the SPIE Board of Directors, and was founding sponsor for the SPIE Startup Challenge, which is held during the Photonics West trade fair every year. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Luminate Accelerator and mentored startup companies amongst the several other organizations he was a part of.

Kumler’s successor as President and Member of Managing Boards has been elected; the announcement will be made shortly.

View Jay’s obituary here.