BARRINGTON, NJ-Optical components provider Edmund Optics (EO) is pleased to announce that Gregory Hollows, EO's director of Machine Vision Solutions, was named chairman of the AIA Board of Directors for 2012-2013 during the AIA Business Conference in Orlando, FL. The AIA, which comprises more than 320 companies from 30 countries, works to advance the understanding of imaging and vision technologies and to drive global expansion and growth through education and promotion.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to serve the members of AIA as Chairman of the Board of Directors," Hollows said. "Over the next two years I hope that we can build upon the strong foundation that currently exists. In doing so we'll be looking to grow AIA's presence in existing and emerging market areas through education, understanding and cooperation. Working with the staff and my fellow board members, we will help make our vision for the future a reality."

Hollows, humbled by the appointment, reflected on his time spent in the machine vision community trying to understand the many diverse aspects of the industry, which has global sales of $3 billion, but is fragmented across a wide range of small to mid-sized companies, many of which are in the $5-$10 million range. "Even among many of the larger companies participating in the market, machine vision is only a small portion of their business," said Hollows. "The Association is trying to bring these companies together to advance the industry as a whole."

"Greg has been a key member of the Board during the past three years and Vice Chair for the past two," said Jeff Burnstein, AIA president. "He has been extremely active in developing our Certified Vision Professional Program, improving The Vision Show and Conference, and serving on the Automate Show Committee that completely reinvented the former International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show. I am certain Greg will do a great job leading the AIA Board over the next two years."

Hollows succeeds Rusty Ponce de Leon, President, Phase 1 Technology, who remains on the AIA Board as Past Chairman.