Michael Laughner

Michael Laughner has a diverse work experience spanning over several decades. Michael started their career at GE Global Research as a Staff Engineer and then moved on to work for Nomaco as an R&D Engineer and Test Engineering Manager. At Nomaco, they focused on expanding polyolefin materials and product development, and also built a testing and characterization lab.

After their time at Nomaco, Laughner worked at BD Technologies as a Six Sigma Quality Engineer, where they were responsible for process improvements and quality validation of new processes and materials. Michael then joined Cree as a Development Engineer, where they managed New Product Introductions for solid state lighting products and played a key role in transitioning processes and products from R&D to production facilities in China.

Laughner also had a role at Trina Solar as a Senior Manager in Wafering Development, before returning to Cree as a Development Engineer. In this role, they focused on process development and NPI engineering for solid state lighting LEDs, as well as developing new processes for wafering and surface preparation.

Prior to their current role as a Technical Project Lead at Lumileds, Laughner worked at DIAB Inc as the Asia Pacific Regional Six Sigma Manager. There, they implemented cost-saving programs through quality and was also the global coordinator of structural core foam kits manufacturing. Additionally, they represented the Asia Pacific region for equipment development and standardization.

Throughout their career, Laughner has gained extensive experience in project management, process development, quality control, and product development. Michael has held various leadership roles and has a strong background in the semiconductor, lighting, and engineering industries.

Michael Laughner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Polymer Science from Penn State University between 1980 and 1984. Michael later pursued a Master of Science degree in Polymer Science at the same institution from 1986 to 1988.