Robert Hilbert Elected as ORA's Chairman of the Board
April 2008–Robert Hilbert has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for Optical Research Associates (ORA®). Mr. Hilbert has been with ORA for over 32 years, and is currently the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
As Chairman, Mr. Hilbert succeeds Thomas Harris, who founded ORA in 1963, was the company’s CEO until his retirement in 2000, and has been Chairman of the Board for over 30 years. Mr. Harris will continue as a member of the company’s Board of Directors.
"Bob Hilbert has provided tremendous leadership and guidance to ORA over the years as its President and CEO, and I'm extremely pleased to pass the role of Chairman of the Board on to him as well," said Thomas Harris. "Bob has been an important member of our team for many years, and deserves credit for leading much of the growth that ORA has enjoyed. Most important, he understands the core values that have always driven ORA, and will continue to emphasize customer success as our highest goal."
Mr. Hilbert joined ORA in 1975 as its Vice President of Engineering Services. He was promoted to President in 1991, and then to CEO in 2000. He has been actively involved in developing key technologists and managers at ORA, and in shaping and supporting selected new initiatives at the company. His background includes experience in the management of R&D, including optical engineering and related software development. Mr. Hilbert received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Optics from the University of Rochester, holds seven U.S. Patents in the field of optics, and is a Fellow of the SPIE, an international optics society.
