Tullio Panarello

VP & General Manager Fibre Optics & RF Components at Smiths Connectors

Tullio joined Smiths in October 2019, having spent the previous 2 years supporting various start-ups, including Reflex Photonics, where he served as Executive President. He is currently responsible for running and growing the newly formed Fibre Optics and Components Business Unit of Smiths Interconnect.

Tullio started his career as a Diode Laser Designer at PerkinElmer, where he developed a passion for working with customers and advancing state-of-the-art diode laser technology. His initial work included the development of diode lasers for military (targeting), medical (Optical Coherence Tomography), and Telecom (980nm Pumps) systems. Tullio eventually moved into Product Line Management and later accepted a position at Lucent Microelectronics. In 2003, Tullio left Lucent and founded his first start-up, PyroPhotonics, a high-power fiber laser company that he sold in 2010. Since that time, he has held Senior Executive positions with various other start-ups (Solantro Semiconductor, Aeponyx, Reflex Photonics, Genia Photonics) including co-founding the A.I. driven e-Nose company Stratuscent in 2016. Tullio continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board for Aeponyx Inc.

Tullio has a BSc. in Physics, a Master of Engineering, and an MBA and has authored more than 25 patents.