Yves LeMaitre
Yves LeMaitre joined Lightwave Logic’s board of directors in August 2024 as a photonics industry veteran with 30+ years’ experience in the Optical Network and AI/Datacenter industry, as well as in global technology, corporate strategy and marketing. Yves has a proven track record as a trusted business advisor and transformational growth CEO, leading teams with an emphasis on corporate strategy, customer relationships, technology innovation and commercial execution.
Since 2021, Yves has provided strategic leadership and business development consulting services in the optical communications, materials processing, consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace and defense, and life sciences sectors. He currently is a strategic board advisor to Trumpf Photonic Components, the global technology company specializing in developing lasers for optics. He is a strategic advisor to the optical, RF, and microelectronics division of Sanmina.
As part of his consulting practice, Yves led the Optical Coherent Division of IPG Photonics, and advised and oversaw its divestiture to Lumentum. Earlier in his career, he was SVP of Luna Innovations’ North America business operation (following the acquisition of RIO Lasers, where he was President). For 10 years, he held roles of increasing responsibility through multiple acquisitions at Oclaro (acquired by Lumentum), ultimately becoming Lumentum’s Chief Strategy Officer. He was key to positioning Oclaro as a leader in optical connectivity and driving growth of indium phosphide lasers in datacenter segments (now generative AI front-end networks).
Yves LeMaitre earned a master’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Nantes University in France. He also holds an engineering degree from Telecom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris.
James S. Marcelli
James (Jim) Marcelli is Lightwave Logic’s chief financial officer with responsibilities including treasury, budgeting, compliance, audit coordination, financial systems, and controller oversight. Jim also serves as chief operating officer, overseeing Lightwave Logic’s day-to-day operations and efficiency initiatives.
Jim became corporate secretary in March 2018. From August 2008 to April 2012, Jim served as Lightwave Logic’s president and chief executive officer.
During his career, Jim has served as the president and chief executive officer of multiple start-up and growth companies including NTI, a high-tech manufacturing company, and LoCal Sales Inc., a business services company that he founded. He has held senior management roles at Teradyne Corp. and Sanmina Corp, which he co-founded, and positions across engineering, sales, marketing, operations and finance.
Jim served as a mentor for the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Program (I-Corps). He has served on the boards of non-profits and business advisory boards, including the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs Engineering School.
Thomas E. Zelibor
Tom Zelibor is an accomplished operational and strategic leader and trusted business advisor with a strong technical background. He has scaled companies to rapid growth in technology, space, telecom, software, systems, and services industries. Tom’s experience includes guiding high-tech entrepreneurial startups, Fortune 500, and government clients to implement programs, processes, and controls on the path to transformation, product commercialization, and sustainable value creation.
Tom served as Lightwave Logic’s CEO (2011-17) and Board Chair (2011-22). He also served as the CEO of Flatirons Solutions and the not-for-profit United States Space Foundation. As the U.S. Navy’s chief information officer, Tom oversaw a multibillion-dollar annual budget, delivering increased growth and efficiency while directing IT policy, Navy space, processes, and cyber security strategy. He continues to serve as a director for public and private companies.
Throughout his career, Tom’s change management and leadership expertise has sought to realign company functions with key infrastructure and sales and marketing improvements to spearhead rapid growth. Tom credibly engages with the investment community on company vision, strategy, and technology. He has a track record of empowering employees to drive innovation, improve efficiencies, and accelerate decision-making.
Tom served in the United States Navy from 1976 to 2006 with critical senior roles from 1998 to 2005, including Commander of Naval Space Command, Commander of Carrier Group Three, and in the U.S. Strategic Command as Director of Global Operations. Following that, he was VP of Strategic Operations for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and then Dean of the College of Operational and Strategic Leadership at the Naval War College.
Tom received his bachelor’s degree in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy in 1976. He retired as a Navy Rear Admiral and Naval Aviator with over 35 years of significant leadership experience. The highlight of his military career was as Commander Task Force 50, where he led three U.S. carrier battle groups, two NATO carriers, nearly 60 other U.S. and coalition ships, 300 aircraft, and thousands of personnel in the North Arabian Sea, conducting combat operations in Afghanistan subsequent to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
John Zyskind 
Dr. John Zyskind is a 40-year veteran of the telecom and data communications industries with vast experience with systems, transceiver design, silicon foundries, integrated photonics, and reliability. Previously he was Vice President of Engineering, Quality and Reliability at Skorpios, where he led the due diligence and selection of the company’s foundry partners for fabrication of its Silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs), as well as PIC qualification and reliability testing. Prior to Skorpios, Dr. Zyskind served in engineering leadership positions at Bell Laboratories, Sycamore Networks, Optovia (the assets of which were later acquired by JDSU) and Mintera (later acquired by Oclaro). Dr. Zyskind’s projects included seminal work on the development of optical amplifiers for wavelength division multiplexed systems, high-capacity long-haul WDM telecommunication systems, and high-capacity optical transceiver modules for the data communication and data center markets.
Atikem Haile
Atikem Haile is a senior technology marketing professional with extensive experience delivering revenue and market share growth for Fortune 100, mid-sized and start-up technology companies. Proven track record built on a unique combination of technology, financial and business skills derived from 20+ years of global technology and venture capital industry experience, as well as MBA (Darden/UVA) and technical undergraduate degrees. Hands-on experience in predicting and responding to trends, opportunities and risks in business.
