Soraa Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, which develops solid-state lighting technology built on 'GaN-on-GaN' (gallium nitride on gallium nitride) substrates, says that Jeff Parker has joined the firm as its new chief executive officer.
According to Sora, as a seasoned lighting executive and innovator Parker will leverage his business acumen, acquired expertise grooming companies to financial maturity, and his reputation as an industry thought-leader to propel the firm forward. "Jeff's drive to pursue fresh ideas and ability to think outside the box will pay immediate dividends," reckons chairman Charles Giancarlo.
Before joining Soraa, Parker was a senior executive with technology licensing firm Rambus, serving as president of the Lighting and Display Technology Division (focused on producing LED lamps and fixtures). Prior to that, he was the founder & CEO of LED backlighting firm Global Lighting Technologies, which Parker grew to more than $100m in revenue before selling the R&D division to Rambus in 2009 for $26m. He also helped to start medical lighting firm Lumitex. Parker has more than 25 years of experience in the information display, LED, medical and lighting markets. He has been granted over 100 patents covering inventions in LCD backlighting, fiber optics, LEDs, light management films, medical illuminators, and general lighting.
"Jeff is a passionate entrepreneur, successful technologist and possesses a succinct vision on how to sustain and broaden our position," says Soraa co-founder Shuji Nakamura, professor in the Materials Department of the College of Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
