Novanta reported that its Board of Directors has appointed Matthijs Glastra, currently Chief Executive Office, to the additional role of Chairman of the Board, effective after the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 13. According to a media release, Glastra will succeed Stephen W. Bershad, who after a successful eleven year tenure, will retire from the Board and will not stand for re-election at Novanta's Annual Meeting. In addition, Novanta also reported that the independent directors have appointed current Board member Lonny Carpenter as independent Lead Director, also effective after the Annual Meeting. The Lead Director presides over all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors, calls meetings of the independent directors and serves as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors. Carpenter joined the Novanta Board of Directors in May 2018 after a successful 30-year career at Stryker Corp., most recently serving as Group President, Global Quality and Business Operations. In recognition of Bershad's contributions to the Company, the Board of Directors has appointed him Chairman Emeritus, effective upon his retirement from the Board. While this position is honorary, without voting rights, and no special governance rights, Bershad will be available for consultation to the Board.
Novanta Inc. is a supplier of core technology solutions, which give medical and advanced industrial original equipment manufacturers. The Company has three segments. Precision Medicine and Manufacturing segment designs, manufactures and markets photonics-based solutions, including laser scanning, laser beam delivery, carbon dioxide laser, solid state laser, ultrafast laser, and optical light engine products to customers worldwide. Medical Solutions segment designs, manufactures and markets a range of medical grade technologies, including medical insufflators, pumps and related disposables; visualization solutions; wireless technologies, video recorders and video integration technologies, and others. Robotics and Automation segment designs, manufactures and markets optical and inductive encoders, precision motors, servo drives and motion control solutions, integrated stepper motors, intelligent robotic end-of-arm technology solutions, and air bearing spindles to customers worldwide.