Optomec, a leading global supplier of production grade additive manufacturing systems for 3D printed metals and 3D printed electronics announced that Annette Finsterbusch, founder of Applied Materials Venture Fund, will join the Optomec Board of Directors. Ms. Finsterbusch’s election was effective February 24, 2016.
Ms. Finsterbusch was the Fund Founder and Senior Investment Director of the venture arm of Applied Materials. From July 2004 through April 2011, Annette was responsible for developing the venture group’s overall investment strategy and execution plan. She sourced, led, syndicated and managed Applied Material’s investments while also managing a group of investment professionals focused on other venture investments. Ms.Finsterbusch was also CEO for two successful early stage venture backed technology companies. The most recent was Firefly Green Technology (renamed Ketra) an innovative lighting company that has seamlessly integrated LED technology and lighting controls to create a wireless, natural light experience for users. Prior to that, Ms. Finsterbusch was CEO of MindShadow.com, a technology spin-out of DaimlerChrysler’s Research and Technology Center.
Annette has board-level experience at several high technology companies in the United States, Europe and Asia, and also at not-for profit organizations such as the National Science Foundation where she currently serves on the SBIR advisory committee. She is a Kauffman Fellow, an elite cadre of the world’s most promising venture investors. Ms. Finsterbusch received a Bachelor of Science in economics and geology from the University of Houston and a Master’s in Business Administration in Strategy and Finance from San Jose State University, where she was honored with the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award in 2004.
“Annette brings a unique blend of expertise to the Optomec Board, including her strong background and understanding of the production capital equipment landscape, coupled with a fundamental understanding of the challenges that face small technology companies targeting very large markets, said Dave Ramahi, Optomec President and CEO, and a member of the Board of Directors. Annette’s broad range of successful operational roles from high technology start-ups to Fortune 500 capital equipment companies will provide important guidance for us as we grow the company. I am delighted to welcome Annette to the Optomec board”.
