Patrick O'Connor
Patrick has degrees in Engineering and Business from Purdue University. He has extensive experience in leading positions within business development, manufacturing, research & development. His focus for the past 20 years has been the commercialization of leading edge technologies.
Patrick has extensive personal relationships in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, optics, photonics, MEMS/nano-technologies, and manufacturing technologies. He also has contacts in agriculture, agro-food, oil and gas, plastics, mechanical and automotive industries and semiconductors.
- After twice failing in their attempts to enter the US marketplace, Hoya Corporation a Japanese company, hired Patrick to launch their American division Hoya Lens of America. He built it from a start-up to a mature, 1500-employee, $157 million operation within 13 months using a combination of organic growth and M&A.
- Transitioned a joint venture, Essilor International/Transition Optical, from a two-person start-up into a Fortune "Fast 500" $200 million manufacturer, and spearheaded a high-profile marketing and product launch campaign to introduce the world's first photo chromic plastic lenses - Transition Lenses.
- Diverse technical understanding including Life Sciences, Optics, Photonics, MEMS and Nanotechnology. Led Nanometrix to a number of International Awards - Named to NASA Tech Briefs Nano 50, NSTI Award, Tokyo, and SEMI Technology Innovation Showcase. "The Nano 50 Awards are the best of the best - the innovative people and technologies that will continue to move nanotechnology to key mainstream markets," Linda L. Bell, publisher of Nanotech Briefs.
- At Monsanto, Patrick was the director of Manufacturing for Growth Enterprises, Monsanto's in-house incubator. This was an eclectic group of 10 companies that included such technologies as diamond-like carbon, conductive polymers, kelp farming and pharmaceuticals.
- Also at Monsanto, as member of the Strategic Leadership Council. Patrick established strategy for all manufacturing operations worldwide (NutraSweet, Searle, Beniva, Agricultural Products, Fibers); coordinated teams and created a global network partnership to share best practices and foster a commitment to excellence.
- Patrick has led or been part of teams responsible for 3 joint ventures, 10 acquisitions, 11 plant start-ups and numerous licensing and joint development agreements.
- During his career, Patrick has spent extensive time working in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysian and UK (Wales).
- Patrick served as Director, Strategy & Business Development for Lockheed Martin's nanotechnology initiative Applied Nanostructured Solutions.
- He currently serves as a Business Advisor to the Nanotechnology & IT / Wireless research institutes of SRM University (Bangalore / Chennai India) and has served as consultant to Johnson & Johnson, Bank of Canada, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners evaluating new technologies & businesses.