News: Optoelectronics
22 September 2026
Senior executives from GlobalFoundries and ST join OpenLight
Photonic application-specific integrated circuit (PASIC) chip designer and manufacturer OpenLight of Goleta, Santa Barbara, CA, USA (which launched as an independent company in 2022, introducing the first open silicon photonics platform with heterogeneously integrated III-V lasers, modulators, amplifiers and detectors) has made two additions to its executive leadership team: Kevin Soukup as chief operating officer and Kirk Ouellette as chief strategy officer & interim chief revenue officer.
Together, the appointments add senior leadership with direct experience of building, scaling and commercializing semiconductor and silicon photonics businesses at global scale. They come as OpenLight expands its technology platform and customer engagements across AI, cloud, networking, and advanced communications applications.
“OpenLight is entering a pivotal phase of growth as demand for high-performance optical technologies continues to accelerate,” says CEO Adam Carter. “Kevin and Kirk bring deep operating experience that is directly aligned with where OpenLight is going. Their proven track records significantly strengthen our ability to execute for customers, broaden our commercial reach and expand our position in the market.”
Kevin Soukup named chief operating officer
As chief operating officer, Soukup will lead operational strategy and execution across OpenLight, with a focus on scaling the technology platform, operating infrastructure and customer delivery capabilities.
He has experience across the full operating lifecycle of a semiconductor business, from strategy and technology investment through commercialization, operations, and scale.
At GlobalFoundries, Soukup served as senior VP & general manager of its Silicon Photonics business, with responsibility for product strategy, technology roadmaps, commercial operations, and growth. Under his leadership, the business expanded significantly and established a leadership position in the growing silicon photonics market.
Prior to that, Soukup held executive roles across corporate strategy, finance, operations, and business transformation. He played a key role in GlobalFoundries' transformation into a profitable growth company and was part of the leadership team that guided the company through its successful initial public offering.
Soukup also serves as chairman of the board of VueReal, a leader in micro-LED technology.
“OpenLight has built a differentiated platform at a pivotal moment for silicon photonics,” says Soukup. “The company has the technology, ecosystem and team to capture that opportunity. My focus will be on strengthening execution, scaling the operating model and ensuring we can support customers as adoption grows. I look forward to helping OpenLight operate at significantly greater scale and deliver even more value to customers and partners.”
Kirk Ouellette named chief strategy officer & interim chief revenue officer
As chief strategy officer & interim chief revenue officer, Ouellette will lead OpenLight's corporate strategy, business development, market expansion and revenue growth initiatives.
He has more than 25 years of global semiconductor and photonics executive leadership experience across strategy, sales, marketing, product management, and business development. Throughout his career, he has built and managed semiconductor businesses exceeding $100m in revenue and has played a direct role in the development and commercialization of silicon photonics technologies worldwide.
Most recently, he served as VP of corporate strategy at STMicroelectronics, where he led initiatives spanning market and technology intelligence, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate growth.
Prior to that, Ouellette led photonics and advanced semiconductor businesses across Asia-Pacific for STMicroelectronics, driving substantial growth in custom silicon and photonics solutions and securing major silicon photonics programs with leading global technology companies.
He also serves as chair of the Canadian Semiconductor Council, supporting the development and competitiveness of North America’s semiconductor ecosystem.
“OpenLight has built a unique technology platform that is enabling a new generation of photonic integrated circuits,” comments Ouellette. “As AI and increasingly data-intensive computing architectures drive greater requirements for bandwidth, power efficiency and integration, the role of photonics is becoming more critical. OpenLight is exceptionally well positioned to address that demand, and I am excited to accelerate customer adoption, expand strategic relationships and grow the company’s global market presence.”
The appointments strengthen OpenLight’s leadership across operations, strategy and commercialization as the company scales its platform and deepens engagement with global customers and partners.
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