Ophir's management team includes exceptional leaders in program management, engineering, optics, contracts, quality assurance and business development. 

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Dr. Loren D. Nelson, Chairman of the Board

Dr. Nelson founded Ophir Corporation more than 25 years ago with the hope to design and build novel instruments to learn more about the atmosphere.  Dr. Nelson now serves as Chairman of the Board of Ophir.

Mr. Martin J. O'Brien, President

Mr. O'Brien has been with Ophir for over 20 years and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility within the company.  Mr. O’Brien was the program manager for the successful contrail detection system—the Pilot Alert System—for the B-2 Bomber.

Mr. O'Brien began his career with Southern Research Institute as a research scientist.  He holds several U.S. patents covering optical technologies, including:  novel laser systems, optical remote sensing, infrared radiometers and optical methods for measuring atmospheric trace gas concentrations.  Mr. O’Brien is a member of SPIE and the Association of the United States Army.  Mr. O'Brien received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics, with honors, and a minor in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines.

Dr. Loren M. Caldwell, Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Caldwell directs the technical aspects of both Ophir's Research & Development group, as well as our design, development and manufacturing efforts.  Dr. Caldwell has more than 22 years of scientific experience; he has designed, developed and flight-tested aerosol lidar systems. These projects include RMCW lidars for both commercial and military systems. He is the principal developer of Ophir’s optical air data system.

Dr. Caldwell holds several patents regarding lidar optical air data systems. His PhD work included the development of a high spectral resolution lidar measuring atmospheric state variables (i.e. temperature, pressure and density) and optical aerosol properties, including the backscatter coefficient and total molecular extinction coefficient.

Dr. Caldwell earned his PhD in Physics at Colorado State University, a BS in Engineering Physics, EE Option and a BS in Physics at Oregon State University.

Ms. Lisa G. Spaeth, Director of Business Development

Ms. Spaeth leads the technology commercialization effort—applying our lidar capabilities to meet our current and future customer’s needs.  Ms. Spaeth is the primary contact for clients; she plans and implements commercialization strategies, outreach and public relations. 

Prior to joining Ophir, Ms. Spaeth served in business development and technology commercialization roles for several small high technology companies.  Ms. Spaeth began her career as a chemist at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, and continued in a series of research and development, materials engineering and business development roles.

Ms. Spaeth is a member of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), American Helicopter Society and Women in Aerospace.  Ms. Spaeth earned her BS in Chemistry from the University of California at Irvine and her Masters of Business Administration degree, with honors, from the University of California at Irvine.