Management Team
The QSpex® Technologies management team consists of highly experienced
executives with a proven track record of product discovery, development and revenue
growth in the vision care industry. Prior to founding QSpex®, members of the senior
management team held key leadership roles at major vision care companies including
Ciba Vision, Alcon, Allergan, Essilor, Rodenstock, Sola and Carl Ziess, helping to
generate hundreds of millions of dollars in sales of innovative vision care products.
Kai C. Su, PhD, Founder, Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer
Kai Su has worked in the vision care industry for over 31 years and is an expert in the
field of polymer chemistry. He is the founder and former President & Chief Executive
Officer of Technology Resource International (TRI). TRI was founded in 1995 as a
spinout from the advanced technology division of Ciba Vision Corporation. Before
starting TRI, Dr. Su spent 21 years leading research and development groups at Ciba
Vision, Alcon Laboratories and Bausch & Lomb. During the span of his career, Dr. Su
has generated over 100 eye care-related patents and numerous technical publications.
In 1996, he was awarded the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association Trailblazer
Award for outstanding achievement in product development to the enhancement of the
industry. Dr. Su has a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the Polytechnic Institute of
Brooklyn (NY) and a BS in chemistry from Tamking College (Taiwan).
Stephen M. Martin, Chief Executive Officer
Steve Martin has been with QSpex® since August 2008 and in addition to his role as
Chief Executive Officer, serves on the company's Board of Directors. In 2001, Mr. Martin
retired from Ciba Vision Corporation, a Novartis Company.
He founded Ciba Vision (contact lenses and lens care) in 1980 and the ophthalmic
pharmaceuticals division, Ciba Vision Ophthalmics, in 1990. He and his team grew sales
of the combined companies to over $1.2 Billion with more than 6,000 employees.
He has served as a director on the boards of numerous public and private companies.
Steve is a graduate of Wake Forest University and attended the Woodrow Wilson College of Law.
He holds 6 issued U.S. Patents for his inventions and a number of European patents.
John B. Lowery, President and Chief Operating Officer
John Lowery joined QSpex® in late 2007. Over the course of his career, Mr. Lowery
has founded or co-founded and led multiple entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Lowery also
has over 10 years of management consulting experience, most recently with
McKinsey & Company. Mr. Lowery holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a
BBA in Economics from The University of Georgia.
David S. Provow, Senior Vice President Manufacturing/Operations
David Provow joined QSpex® in late 2010. Mr. Provow has over 30 years of experience in
spectacle lens manufacturing, mold production, process and technical engineering and quality
control. Prior to joining QSpex Mr. Provow was Vice President Global Manufacturing for
PixelOptics, Inc. Mr. Provow’s experience also includes Vice President of Operations and
Chief Operations Officer for Rodenstock North America as well as Vice President Global
Technology Development and Manufacturing for Sola Optical USA. Mr. Provow was also
previously with Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc. and Coburn Optical, Inc. Mr. Provow holds a BS in
Biology from Western Kentucky University.
Kevin Bligh, Vice President Sales and Marketing
Kevin Bligh, Vice President Sales and Marketing. Kevin Bligh joined QSpex in January 2012. He has spent over 25 years in the Eye Care Industry. He has previously served as Senior VP, Marketing and Sales at Optical Connection, Inc. and Senior VP Sales and Marketing at UltraVision Corporation. Additionally, he was General Manager for the Optical Channel of Revo, Inc. and National Sales Manager for Essilor’s Logo Paris, Inc. division. Mr. Bligh has an MBA fron New York University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.