Management Team

Valentin P. Gapontsev, Ph.D., has been the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of IPG since its inception. Prior to founding the Company in 1990, Dr. Gapontsev served as senior scientist in laser material physics and head of the laboratory at the Soviet Academy of Science's Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics in Moscow. In 2006, he was awarded the Ernst & Young® Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Industrial Products and Services in New England, and in 2009, he was awarded the Arthur L. Schawlow Award by the Laser Institute of America. In 2011, he received the Russian Federation National Award in Science and Technology, and he was selected as a Fellow of the Optical Society of America. Dr. Gapontsev holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

Key Attributes, Experience and Skills

He is the founder of the Company and has successfully led the Company and the Board since the Company was formed. In the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, he has been responsible for formulation and execution of IPG's strategy and providing leadership and oversight of IPG's business during a period of rapid and profitable growth, as well as business contractions. He has over thirty years of academic research experience in the fields of solid state laser materials, laser spectroscopy and non-radiative energy transfer between rare earth ions and is the author of many scientific publications and several international patents. His strategic foresight and entrepreneurial spirit along with his deep scientific understanding has guided the Company's continued growth and technology leadership. Under Dr. Gapontsev's leadership, the Company continues to generate strong revenue and earnings growth.

Eugene Scherbakov, Ph.D., has served as Managing Director of IPG Laser GmbH, IPG’s German subsidiary, since August 2000, Senior Vice President-Europe since February 2013 and Chief Operating Officer since February 2017. He served as the Technical Director of IPG Laser from 1995 to August 2000. From 1983 to 1995, Dr. Scherbakov was a senior scientist in fiber optics and head of the optical communications laboratory at the General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Science in Moscow. Dr. Scherbakov graduated from the Moscow Physics and Technology Institute with an M.S. in Physics. In addition, Dr. Scherbakov attended the Russian Academy of Science in Moscow, where he received a Ph.D. in Quantum Electronics from its Lebedev Physics Institute and a Dr.Sci. degree in Laser Physics from its General Physics Institute.

Key Attributes, Experience and Skills

Dr. Scherbakov has extensive knowledge of the Company's business as Managing Director of IPG Laser GmbH, which produces a large volume of IPG's products and is the source of many developments in products, technology and applications. The leadership and operational expertise of Dr. Scherbakov have contributed to IPG increasing production, lowering manufacturing costs and maintaining high margins compared to the Company's industry peers. He also has extensive technological knowledge of fiber lasers, their components and the manufacturing process. His service as an executive officer of the Company provides the Board with a detailed understanding of the Company's operations, sales and customers.

Timothy P.V. Mammen has served as IPG’s Chief Financial Officer since July 2000 and a Vice President since November 2000. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in February 2013. Between May 1999 and July 2000, Mr. Mammen served as the Group Finance Director and General Manager of the United Kingdom operations for IPFD. Mr. Mammen was Finance Director and General Manager of United Partners Plc, a commodities trading firm, from 1995 to 1999 and prior to that he worked in the finance department of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Mr. Mammen holds an Upper Second B.Sc. Honours degree in International Trade and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Also, he is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Igor Samartsev has served as Chief Technology Officer since 2011 and served as a member of IPG’s Board from February 2006 to January 2021. From 2005 to 2018, he also served as the Deputy General Manager of IPG’s Russian subsidiary, NTO IRE-Polus. Prior to that time, he served in technical leadership roles at NTO IRE-Polus. Mr. Samartsev holds an M.S. in Physics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

Key Attributes, Experience and Skills

Mr. Samartsev is one of the founders of the Company and has a significant management role in the Company as Chief Technology Officer. As one of the key developers of the technology platform of the Company and leader in the development of many new optical technologies and products that form part of the Company's strategic plan, the Board values Mr. Samartsev's understanding of technology developments at the Company.

Angelo P. Lopresti has served as IPG’s General Counsel and Secretary and one of the Company’s Vice Presidents since February 2001. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in February 2013. Prior to joining IPG, Mr. Lopresti was a partner at the law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP from 1999 to 2001. Prior to that, he was a partner at the law firm of Hertzog, Calamari & Gleason from 1998 to 1999 and an associate there from 1991 to 1998. Mr. Lopresti holds a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

Alexander Ovtchinnikov, Ph.D., has served as IPG’s Vice President, Components, since September 2005 and as Director of Material Sciences from October 2001 to September 2005. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in February 2013. Prior to joining IPG, Dr. Ovtchinnikov was Material Science Manager of Lasertel, Inc., a maker of high-power semiconductor lasers, from 1999 to 2001. For 15 years prior to joining Lasertel, Inc., he worked on the development and commercialization of high power diode pump technology at the Ioffe Institute, Tampere University of Technology, Coherent, Inc. and Spectra-Physics Corporation. He holds an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Electrotechnical University of St. Petersburg, Russia, and a Ph.D. from Ioffe Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Trevor D. Ness has served as IPG’s Senior Vice President, World Wide Sales since February 2013. From January 2011 until February 2013, he served as IPG’s Vice President –Asian Operations. Prior to joining IPG, he was Director of GSI Precision Technologies China from May 2005 to December 2010. Mr. Ness holds a B.S. in Geology from Imperial College, a H.N.C. from Bournemouth University and an M.B.A. from The Open University.

Felix Stukalin has served as IPG’s Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations since February 2013. From March 2009 until February 2013, he served as IPG’s Vice President, Devices. Prior to joining IPG, he was Vice President, Business Development of GSI Group Inc. from April 2002 to September 2008, and from March 2000 to April 2002 he was Vice President of Components and President of the Wave Precision divisions of GSI Lumonics, Mr. Stukalin holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester and he is a graduate of the Harvard Business School General Management Program.