News: Optoelectronics
28 July 2026
Lumentum’s president & CEO to receive Optica i4 Individual Achievement Prize
Lumentum Holdings Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which designs and makes photonic products for optical networks and lasers for industrial and consumer markets) says that president & CEO Michael Hurlston has been selected to receive the 2026 Optica i4 Individual Achievement Prize, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the global optics and photonics industry. The award is being presented on 24 September during the Global Photonics Economic Forum 2026 in Málaga, Spain.
Optica (the global society dedicated to advancing optics and photonics worldwide) says that the i4 Prize honors individuals and organizations whose achievements reflect Optica’s core values of ‘Innovation, Integrity, Inclusion, and Impact’. The award recognizes leaders who have made lasting contributions to the optics and photonics community through their vision, leadership, and commitment to advancing the field.
“This award reflects the extraordinary work of the entire Lumentum team,” says Hurlston. “Every day, our employees apply their expertise and creativity to enable the next generation of AI infrastructure, cloud computing, communications networks, and optical technologies,” he adds. “I am proud of what we are accomplishing together and excited about the opportunities ahead for Lumentum and the broader photonics industry.”
Hurlston was selected from more than 30 nominations submitted by leaders across the global optics and photonics community. The recipient was chosen by the 2026 Optica i4 Prize Jury, composed of members of the Optica Corporate Engagement Council: Reinhard Voelkel (chair); Michael Lebby (past chair); Aleksandra Boskovic; Simon Schwinger; Joseph Spilman; and Natarajan Subrahmanyan.
“Michael Hurlston embodies the values that the Optica i4 Prize was created to recognize,” comments Optica’s chief technology officer Jose Pozo. “He has successfully combined technological vision with business leadership, helping drive innovation while creating value for customers, employees, shareholders, and the broader photonics community.”
Since becoming president & CEO in February 2025, Hurlston has led Lumentum through a period of significant growth. Lumentum says that it has strengthened its position as a leading provider of optical and photonic technologies serving cloud and AI infrastructure, communications networks, industrial applications, and advanced sensing markets.
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