nLIGHT CEO wins 2019 technology award

nLIGHT® Inc., a provider of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, aerospace, and defense applications in Vancouver, Wash., has announced that co-founder and CEO Scott Keeney has been selected as winner of the 2019 Sam Blackman Award by the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO).

This award, formerly known as the Technology Executive of the Year, honors executives of Oregon and southwest Washington-based technology companies for excellence in industry leadership, as well as the individual’s positive impact in the greater community. It was renamed in honor of Sam Blackman, AWS Elemental founder and 2015 Technology Executive of the Year winner, who died in August 2017.

Skip Newberry, president and CEO of TAO, said, “In addition to leading nLIGHT through its IPO, Scott is committed to developing the next generation of technology workers by volunteering time and resources to local public schools. He absolutely embodies what Sam believed in, and it’s a privilege to name him this year’s award recipient.”