Fiber Optic Sensing Association Elects Board Members, Officers

PRESS RELEASE
Fiber Optic Sensing Association

Fiber Optic Sensing Association Elects Board Members, Officers
Group Reviews Technology Committee “Installation Considerations” 

WASHINGTON DC - December 6, 2017 - The Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA), the nation’s premier trade association dedicated to fiber optic sensing, announced the election of four board members, as well as its officer slate for 2018, at the organization’s inaugural Annual Meeting in Tampa.

Greg Williams, Prysmian, was elected to the Board, and Geoffroy Lacoin, Omnisens, Gordon Youle, OZ Optics, and Vivek Caroli, Frauscher Sensor Technology USA, Inc. were reelected, to serve 2-year terms. 

On the officer slate, Mike Hines of OFS, rose from Vice Chair to Chair, replacing outgoing Chair Stan Fendley of Corning. The Board also elected John Williams of OptaSense as Vice Chair, Greg Williams of Prysmian as Secretary, and Gordon Youle of OZ Optics as Treasurer. 

During the meeting, the group received a report from its Technology Committee, which is developing “Installation Considerations” for use by customers. The first installment of the Committee’s work is slated for release in early 2018.

Adrian Fielding of Honeywell, David Zelenok of engineering firm HR Green, and Shane Siebenaler of Southwest Research Institute addressed FOSA members on the integration of fiber optic sensing technology into a wide range of infrastructure deployments, including smart roads and cities, oil and gas pipelines, railways and power generation facilities.

Attendees also heard the results of a member survey on market growth and market drivers.

Since its founding in April 2017, in Washington DC, FOSA hosted scores of webinars, videos and technical papers, provided a map of distributed fiber optic sensing installations around the globe, and educated over 60 government officials and staff on the technology’s benefits.

“FOSA has had a great first year,” said outgoing chairman Stan Fendley of Corning. “The organization fills a great need in educating industry, government and the public on the benefits of fiber optic sensing technology, and I look forward to watching its continued growth in the future. Exciting things are in store for this organization.”

Incoming chairman Mike Hines of OFS added “Under Stan Fendley’s strong leadership, FOSA quickly established itself as a go-to resource for people interested in learning about fiber optic sensing as a new and better way to improve safety and add to productivity through the monitoring of key assets like pipelines, railways and perimeters. From this strong foundation, we plan to accelerate FOSA’s importance in the coming years.”

"Building on FOSA’s strong first year in 2017, we look forward to making more progress as an association in 2018, said Mark Uncapher, FOSA Director.  "We are especially gratified by the growing confidence in our association that our expanding membership demonstrates.”

THE FIBER OPTIC SENSING ASSOCIATION (FOSA)
FOSA is a non-profit organization created in Washington DC in 2017 with the mission of educating industry, government and the public on the benefits of fiber optic sensing. Through webinars, videos, white papers, public presentations and public policy advocacy, the organization provides information on the use of fiber optic sensing to secure critical facilities, enhance public safety and protect the environment.

FOSA Members include Adelos, AFL, AP Sensing, Asymmetric Technologies, Corning, Ditch Witch, Dura-Line, Fotech Solutions, Frauscher Sensor Technology USA Inc., Integrated Roadways, LIOS Technology, OFS, Omnisens, OptaSense, OZ Optics, and Prysmian. For further information, please visit the FOSA website.