Jayne Somes-Schloesser Joins OSA as
Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

WASHINGTON, May 14—The Optical Society (OSA) announced today that Jayne Somes-Schloesser will join its staff as the deputy executive director and chief operating officer (COO). In this position, Somes-Schloesser will be responsible for an annual budget of $30 million and will oversee society operations, including meetings, finance, legal, customer service, human resources, information technology and building administration.

As the deputy executive director and COO, Somes-Schloesser will be a member of the organization’s executive team, advancing strategic directions, identifying new business development opportunities and enhancing long-term planning. Somes-Schloesser also will be responsible for regular communications with OSA’s Board of Directors, select steering committees and other organizational stakeholders in her areas of oversight.

“OSA’s deputy executive director and COO plays a leading role in many of the society’s critical programs, helping to fulfill our organizational mission and serve our members,” said Elizabeth Rogan, OSA’s executive director. “Jayne’s expansive experience with association management, coupled with her leadership skills, makes her an ideal fit to oversee the diverse day-to-day operations of OSA and help set its strategic objectives. We’re looking forward to working with her.”

Somes-Schloesser has more than 20 years of business management experience, including human resources management, budgeting, information systems, meeting planning and facilities management. A veteran of non-profit operations, Somes-Schloesser was most recently senior vice president of operations of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), where she held principal responsibility for MBA's operations, including human resources, finance, information technology and facilities management. In addition, she oversaw the development and construction of MBA's new 10-story, 170,000 square-foot LEED certified headquarters building.

Prior to this role, Somes-Schloesser was vice president of operations for the National Multi Housing Council, where she organized and coordinated human resources, accounting, meetings, information technology and general office services. Previously, she was director of operations and quality improvement for the Electronic Industries Association.

Somes-Schloesser holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and a master's in human resource management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is certified as a Professional in Human Resources.

Somes-Schloesser will begin her new position in August 2008.

About OSA

Uniting more than 70,000 professionals from 134 countries, the Optical Society (OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916 OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.

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Jayne Somes-Schloesser Joins OSA as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

About OSA

Jayne Somes-Schloesser Joins OSA as
Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer