It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Jim Farina, our long-term colleague, mentor, and friend, on July 21, 2021.

Since 2004, Jim has worked in key roles at VPIphotonics. His first involvement was as a senior technical consultant. He later established VPIphotonics, Inc. as the sales and services office, serving customers in the US and Canada, and has since that time been the leader of the team at this office. Jim set the tone and culture of VPIphotonics Inc. and provided technical expertise and training to our customers in the US and Canada.

Jim's career prior to VPIphotonics, Inc. has been lengthy and distinguished. He worked for two decades in various technical leadership roles at several photonics enterprises in the US. In his early career, he was a professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia and taught physics courses to graduates and undergraduates.

Jim relished technology of all kinds. He was always eager to learn more, even though he could teach us so much already. Jim enjoyed engaging with customers and partners, with colleagues and friends all over the world. He loved to have technical discussions, initiate new projects, and discover new things in life.

We all will miss him – his advice, his engaging nature, and his companionship.

VPIphotonics Team