IntegraOptics hires first COO

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Jeff DeWeese is the first chief operating officer at IntegraOptics. He will oversee hiring, finances and production.

Krystle S. Morey

Reporter- Albany Business Review

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David Prescott said he's stepping away from managing the day-to-day operations at IntegraOptics to focus on developing new products and speeding up delivery time.

The Latham, New York company created a chief operation officer position to free-up Prescott, the company's president, CEO and chief technology officer. As COO, Jeff DeWeese will take the lead on hiring and training while ensuring financial and production operations run smoothly.

"I will be focusing on strategy for the company," Prescott said.

IntegraOptics is a 7-year-old maker of fiber optic equipment used to transfer data via cable, phone and wireless network platforms. The company has 50 design, engineering and sales employees.

The company's leadership team of sales, operations and outside advisers decided earlier this year that the company should play to Prescott's strengths: engineering and entrepreneurship.

"The team defined where my resources are best used and answered the question: 'how do we reposition myself to do what I am strongest at?'" Prescott said.

With a COO in place, Prescott will focus more on strategy and pushing growth by attracting customers in new markets including Europe.

"Everybody in the world needs data and a way to transfer data," Prescott said. "Our whole lives are connected to it."

Prescott said DeWeese has a strong track record of growing and improving the value of companies.

Prior to joining IntegraOptics, DeWeese founded and sold several companies including Unity Fuels LLC, a New York City producer of biodiesel used to power homes and businesses. He took same path with NextGen Fuels Inc. (OTCMKTS: NXFI), an energy efficiency technology business in New York City.

DeWeese, who joined IntegraOptics earlier this month, has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Clarkson University and an MBA from Western New England University.

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