Meet the Team
With over 40 years of experience in optics, the Optikos team provides hands-on engineering expertise with the nimble mindset of a tech startup.
David Cooper
Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer, David Cooper leads Optikos, overseeing the company's strategic direction, operational performance, and continued growth following its acquisition of Omega Optical.
David brings more than 30 years of industrial technology leadership experience. He joined Omega Optical as CEO in June 2024, where he led the company's “One Omega” growth strategy, expanding its capabilities to deliver solutions for customers in life sciences, aerospace and defense, industrial, and semiconductor markets.
Before joining Omega Optical, David served as Senior Operating Partner at Cerberus Capital Management, focusing on organic growth, new product development, operational excellence, and customer experience. He previously held executive and commercial leadership positions at APITech (now Spectrum Control), Owens Corning, Honeywell, and Air Products & Chemicals.
David holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from the University of Texas.
Todd Jaeger, PhD
Chief Revenue Officer
As Chief Revenue Officer, Dr. Todd Jaeger oversees marketing, sales, and customer success at Optikos, leading commercial strategy and strengthening customer partnerships across the company's expanded portfolio.
Todd brings more than 25 years of experience across the photonics industry, spanning optical materials, components, and automated laser machining systems. Throughout his career, he has held positions at Spectra Physics, New Focus, IDEX, SCHOTT, Heraeus, and Coherent.
He joined Omega Optical in September 2023 and became Chief Revenue Officer in 2024, overseeing commercial strategy and customer relationships prior to the acquisition. His experience positions him to support continued growth while maintaining strong customer relationships throughout the integration.
Todd holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Georgia.
Dennis Fantone
Chief Product and Program Officer
As Chief Product and Program Officer, Dennis Fantone oversees product strategy, portfolio development, and program execution at Optikos. He plays a key role in leveraging the company's expanded capabilities following the Omega Optical acquisition to deliver innovative optical solutions that meet customer needs.
The son of Optikos founder Stephen D. Fantone, Dennis has been connected to the company since childhood. Before officially joining Optikos in 2016, he began his optical engineering career at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, working on free space optical communication systems. At Optikos, he managed the design and production of aerial imaging lenses, microscopes, and custom optical metrology instrumentation.
In 2020, Dennis transitioned into Operations Management, where he led efforts toward ISO 13485 certification, managed two facility expansions, and doubled production staffing to support the company's growth.
Dennis holds a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.S. in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics.
Lars Sandstroem
Chief Technology Officer
As Chief Technology Officer, Lars Sandstroem oversees technology strategy at Optikos, aligning technical innovation with business objectives and customer needs. He guides the products, systems, and processes that support continued growth and reliability across the company's expanded capabilities.
Lars brings more than 30 years of photonics industry experience, having held senior leadership positions at Gooch & Housego, Edmund Optics, and Thorlabs. His background spans optical systems, life sciences, technology development, and commercial strategy. At Optikos, he built the commercial organization that delivered 100% growth in 2026.
Lars holds five U.S. patents, with additional applications pending. He earned a master's degree in electronic engineering and a Technical Licentiate degree in laser spectroscopy from Chalmers University of Technology.
Kevin O’Connell
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Kevin O’Connell oversees financial strategy at Optikos, guiding capital allocation, financial planning, and investment priorities to support the company's continued growth and integration of Omega Optical.
Kevin brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across manufacturing, distribution, and technology organizations. He joined Omega Optical as CFO in 2024, where he guided the company through operational changes and strategic repositioning prior to its acquisition by Optikos.
Throughout his career, Kevin has led organizations through acquisitions, business transformations, and turnarounds, with a focus on financial discipline, cash management, and operational visibility.
Frank Hammell
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer, Frank Hammell oversees operations across all Optikos locations, leading the integration of Omega Optical while ensuring continuity in quality, operational efficiency, and customer delivery. He has played a key role in transforming Optikos from an engineering focused organization into a scalable manufacturing business.
Frank began his career at Deloitte before joining Terex Corporation, where he held several finance and leadership positions over 11 years. He later served as Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Ragnar Original Innovations, Inc., helping guide the company through its sale in 2019.
Frank holds a B.S. in Business Administration, with concentrations in Accounting and Legal Studies, from Bryant College and an M.S.A. from Quinnipiac University.