---
title: "News: The RRPC Entrepreneur Award - Optimax Systems, Inc"
description: The RRPC Entrepreneur of The Year Award is given to a member who demonstrates creativity, innovation and drive in the Optics & Photonics Industry.
image: https://www.optimaxsi.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Mike_Meet-the-Team.png
---

![History RRPC](https://www.optimaxsi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/History_RRPC.jpg?width=300&name=History_RRPC.jpg)

Jan 3, 2009

# The RRPC Entrepreneur Award

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The RRPC (Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster) Entrepreneur of The Year Award is given to a member who demonstrates creativity, innovation and drive in pursuit of creating a world-leading company in the Optics and Photonics industry. Mike Mandina was the 2009 recipient of this award.

Mike’s entrepreneurship started in 1976 when he started Cormac Industries with his partner, Warren Carlough. In 1980, Cormac was sold to Melles Griot. Optimax was founded in 1991 and Mike shortly joined the team thereafter  Under his leadership, the company has seen exponential growth.

[Click Here to View Article](https://rbj.net/2009/11/18/optics-professionals-recognized-at-meeting/)

#### COMMENTS

## RELATED ARTICLES

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