2026 Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award Winner
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Optica Names George Bayz the 2026 Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Optica is pleased to announce that George Bayz, Oakshire Partners, USA, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award. Bayz is being honored for outstanding leadership as Optica Treasurer, including expertly guiding the organization through complex challenges with astute financial stewardship, steadfast integrity, and strategic vision, significantly strengthening Optica's mission and stability.
Bayz has over 25 years of senior management experience leading software and high-technology firms. He joined Synopsys as the Vice President and General Manager of the Optical Solutions Group following Synopsys’ acquisition of Optical Research Associates (ORA). Previously, he President and CEO of ORA; President and CEO of PeoplePoint Systems, Inc., an enterprise software company; General Manager and Executive Vice President at Artemis International Solutions Corp., a provider of advanced project management solutions; President and CEO of Thinque Systems, a workforce automation solutions provider; and President and CEO of MAI Systems Corporation, a provider of information technology to the hospitality industry.
He received a BS in business administration from the University of Southern California and a JD from Loyola Marymount University. He is a Member of the California Bar and is a California Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Bayz, an Optica Fellow, has served as Optica’s Treasurer for over a decade, demonstrating exceptional commitment, integrity, and strategic foresight. His financial and legal expertise has been invaluable to the society. He also chairs the Finance, Audit, Compensation, and Investment Councils and is a past chair of the Corporate Associates Council. He has been a regular presenter at the Optica Foundation Career Accelerator Program.
Established in 1973, the Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who, over an extended period of time, have served the Society in an outstanding way, especially through volunteer participation in its management, operation, or planning in such ways as editorship of a periodical, organization of meetings, or other service to the Society. The award was created in memory of Stephen M. MacNeille and was named in honor of Stephen D. Fantone in 2013. It is endowed by the American Optical Corporation and contributions from individual members.
About Optica
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica's renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement.
