Technology >> CEO Interviews >> January 4, 1999
JOHN S. MARTINEZ, Ph.D., became Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of the Company at its inception. Prior
to cofounding the Company in October, 1987, he was President of HLX
Laser, Inc., an excimer laser development company and President of Jamar
Enterprises, a management and investment consultant to hightechnology
companies. From 1976 to 1984, Dr. Martinez was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Physics International Company ('PI'), a
hightechnology research, development and manufacturing company
specializing in highintensity energy technology and Xray generation
equipment. During that period, PI's annual sales grew by more than 400%
and profits grew at a compounded annual rate in excess of 32%.
Previously, he held a number of management positions at TRW, Inc. and
founded that company's High Energy Laser program in 1970, managing it
until he left the company in 1976. Dr. Martinez, a Ford Foundation and
Atomic Energy Commission Fellowship holder, earned his Ph.D. in
Engineering Science from the University of California (Berkeley), his
Bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.) and
is a graduate of the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology. He served
on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and was discharged as a Captain.
He is also the holder or coholder of six patents. Profile
Dr. Martinez: We describe our business as creating technology for a
micro world. Now, by that we mean that we make equipment, and
