Management Team

Steve Poland, CEO

Steve joined Prime Photonics and Prime Research in 2009 as CEO and President.   From 2005-2009 Steve served in various roles with Baker Hughes ProductionQuest including Director of Optical Systems, North America Sales & Operations Manager and Director of Mergers and Acquisitions.  Before Baker Hughes, Steve served as VP of Commercial Projects for Luna Innovations as well as VP of Engineering & Technology for Luna Energy, where he led the development and commercialization of multiple fiber optic product lines. Steve currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Virginia Tech Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, holds 4 US patents, and has over 30 publications.  Steve received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Dr. Russ May, Founder

Russ has over 25 years experience in the research and development of technology for communications and sensing using optical fibers for military and commercial applications.   His background includes employment at ITT, Martin Marietta, and ADC Telecommunications, and he was an original founder of Fiber & Sensor Technologies (now Luna Innovations). Russ is a founder of Prime Photonics, and previously was research faculty at Virginia Tech's Center for Photonics Technology.   Russ received B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in materials engineering, all from Virginia Tech.

Rob Stuart, Controller

Rob Stuart is a CPA with 25 years of accounting experience. Prior to joining Prime in 2007, Rob served as Controller for ClickandPledge.com, CFO for Automation Creations, Inc., and CFO for Notari Associates, PA. Rob graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Baltimore in 1984 with a B.S. in Accounting, is a certified facilitator for 360 Solutions Principles of High Performance and is currently pursuing his MBA at Virginia Tech.

Dr. Dan Kominsky, VP of Research & Development

Dan joined Prime in 2004 and prior to becoming Vice President of Engineering in 2007 he served in the positions of Senior Research Scientist and Aeropropulsion Business Unit Manager.   Dan has an extensive background in optical waveguide theory, design, and fabrication, over a decade of experience in photonic systems and sensors, and has directed Prime's development of high-temperature, high-speed sensor systems for instrumentation of turbine engines.   Dan holds a B.A. in Physics and Astronomy from Vassar College, an M.S. in Optics from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech.