With a double change in North American management, OSRAM is reinforcing its ambitions to take an even stronger market position in the field of solid state lighting and LEDs. Effective June 1, 2010, Tom Shottes will take responsibility for the new Professional Lighting Solid State Lighting and Light Management System groups as senior vice president. He will be succeeded as CEO of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc by Don Klase. By taking this step, OSRAM is emphasizing the growing importance of semiconductor lighting technologies for the company.

In his newly created role, Shottes will be responsible for the development, marketing and sale of professional solid state lighting (SSL) solutions across North America.

“Tom Shottes is the ideal choice to lead OSRAM Sylvania’s professional SSL business,” said Rick Leaman OSRAM Sylvania president and CEO. “Tom’s many years of experience in LEDs and deep understanding of the lighting business are a powerful combination.”

Shottes started his career with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors in 1998, where among other positions, he worked in the area of LED for automotive lighting. Before becoming president of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. he was vice president of sales and marketing with the company. Schottes holds a degree in business administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Klase has worked in the semiconductor industry for 26 years and has held management positions of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc. In 1997, he joined Siemens Microelectronics and later transitioned to OSRAM Opto Semiconductors in 2004. He last held the post of vice president of sales at the OSRAM subsidiary. He holds degrees from The Pennsylvania State University (electrical engineering technology) and Linfield College (management).