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Laser technology pioneer dies

William H. "Bill" Shiner, the holder of several laser technology patents and founding member of the Laser Institute of America, died May 7, 2020, after a short battle with cancer.

Shiner earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from Northeastern University. He started his professional career at American Optical Corp., where he progressed to applications laboratory manager in the Laser Products Group. He and a partner later purchased the laser division and founded Laser Inc., which they sold to Coherent Inc. in 1978, and Shiner became vice president of sales and marketing.

In 1995 Coherent was purchased by Convergent Prima; Shiner served as COO there until 2002, when he joined IPG Photonics, where he became vice president of industrial laser sales. In 2009 he was recognized with the LIA’s President’s Award for his long-term contributions to the success of the LIA. He semiretired in 2018, continuing to serve as a consultant to the CEO of IPG Photonics until fully retiring in February 2020.