For the last 15 years, I have been developing new products for Spectra-Physics Lasers and I am currently the Advanced R & D Manager for Industrial and Scientific Lasers. In addition to authoring numerous journal articles, conference presentations and seminars, I co-authored a book chapter on Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics and hold more than 20 patents. I was the principal designer on three products, the Tsunami, the Opal and the Millennia X, which have won technology achievement awards. I have served the optics community as the Ultrafast Phenomena topical editor for JOSA B, the chair of the Lasers Technical Group and a member of the CLEO steering committee. Currently, I am the program co-chair for CLEO 1999 and will be the general co-chair for 2001. I am known for my ability to explain complex topics to non-technical audiences and I am pleased to be selected as a Distinguished Travelling Lecturer by the Division of Laser Science of the APS.