Former President of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems Sector Brings Extensive Defense Industry Expertise as LightPath Evolves Into a Mission-Critical Optics Supplier of Choice to Allied Militaries
LightPath Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of next-generation optics and imaging systems for both defense and commercial applications, announced the appointment of Mark Caylor to the company’s Board of Directors, effective October 9, 2025.
Mark Caylor is a veteran defense industry executive with over 35 years of experience driving profitable growth, planning and executing technology and corporate strategy, managing capital structure and risk, and leading large organizations. Mr. Caylor recently retired as President of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems Sector, a supplier of advanced sensing, processing, and communications technologies for defense and intelligence customers, with operations in the U.S. and Europe. He was previously President, Enterprise Services and Chief Strategy Officer where he led Northrop Grumman’s shared services, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. He also served as Corporate Vice President and Treasurer, responsible for the company’s liquidity, insurance, and capital structure management. Earlier, Mr. Caylor held leadership roles in banking and capital markets as well as technology development. He joined Northrop Grumman in 2002.
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Mr. Caylor began his corporate career in 1988 at Hughes Aircraft Company (later acquired by The Boeing Company), where he led commercial business development initiatives and engineered spacecraft and orbital systems. After earning a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he obtained a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the California Institute of Technology and later a master’s degree in business administration from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.
“We welcome Mark to the board and anticipate an immediate benefit from his guidance, leveraging an extensive background across government, military, private and public sectors,” said Sam Rubin, Chief Executive Officer of LightPath. “After leading an $11 billion technology business with 25,000 employees as President of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, he is an incredible asset to help guide our vision forward. His experience and relationships on the side of defense primes will also further LightPath’s goals as we execute on our growth strategy in the multi-billion-dollar market for infrared imaging systems.”
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Mr. Caylor added: “It is truly a privilege to join LightPath at such an exciting point in its journey to become a global leader in next-generation optics and imaging solutions. The near-term focus on scaling deliveries of cameras and optics across a broad range of applications to a diverse market of verticals, and converting a robust pipeline, position it for success in the quarters and years to come. I am eager to work closely with Sam and the Board as they steward the company to continued operational execution as they strive to build long-term value for fellow stockholders.”
