Leadership & Management

NanoHorizons brings together exceptional scientific expertise, business leadership, and industry experience to advance commercial nanotechnology applications. Our management team combines deep technical knowledge with proven track records in building successful technology companies and bringing innovative products to market.

Executive Leadership

Stephen Fonash, Ph.D. - Chairman and Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Stephen Fonash serves as Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of NanoHorizons, bringing over four decades of pioneering research and development in nanotechnology and microelectronics. As Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering at Penn State University and founding Director of the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization, Dr. Fonash has established himself as a leading authority in nanotechnology commercialization.

Dr. Fonash’s research portfolio spans semiconductor device physics, thin-film technology, and nanoscale materials science. He holds over 18 patents in related fields, with particular focus on manufacturing processes that enable cost-effective production of nanotechnology-based products. His work on flexible electronics, nanoparticle synthesis, and antimicrobial nanomaterials provides the scientific foundation for NanoHorizons’ technology platform.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Fonash has demonstrated exceptional ability to translate fundamental research into practical commercial applications. The Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization, which he directed, became a nationally recognized resource for nanotechnology workforce development and technology transfer, working with hundreds of companies to implement nanotechnology solutions in real-world products.

At NanoHorizons, Dr. Fonash guides the company’s technology strategy, oversees research and development initiatives, and ensures that scientific rigor underpins all product development efforts. His vision of making nanotechnology accessible and economically viable for mainstream manufacturing continues to drive the company’s innovation agenda.

Robert F. Burlinson, M.B.A., C.P.A. - President and Chief Executive Officer

Robert Burlinson brings 25 years of executive leadership experience to his role as President and CEO of NanoHorizons. His career spans corporate development, strategic planning, and operational management across technology-intensive industries. As a certified public accountant and MBA, Mr. Burlinson combines financial acumen with strategic vision essential for building sustainable technology companies.

Prior to joining NanoHorizons, Mr. Burlinson held senior executive positions in telecommunications, software, and advanced materials companies, where he successfully led organizations through critical growth phases, market expansions, and technology transitions. His experience navigating complex regulatory environments and building strategic partnerships proves particularly valuable as NanoHorizons expands SmartSilver technology across diverse market segments.

Mr. Burlinson focuses on organizational development, market strategy, and building the operational infrastructure necessary to support commercial growth. Under his leadership, NanoHorizons has established manufacturing partnerships, developed distribution channels, and built customer relationships across textile, healthcare, and industrial markets.

His strategic approach emphasizes sustainable growth, customer satisfaction, and technology validation through rigorous performance testing. Mr. Burlinson’s commitment to delivering genuine value ensures that NanoHorizons products meet the demanding requirements of industrial customers while providing measurable benefits that justify premium positioning.

Joseph D. Cuiffi, Ph.D. - Vice President, Research & Development and Production

Dr. Joseph Cuiffi leads NanoHorizons’ research, development, and production operations, applying his expertise in nanobiochemical devices and practical nanotechnology applications to advance SmartSilver technology and develop new antimicrobial solutions. His work focuses on optimizing nanoparticle synthesis, developing application-specific formulations, and ensuring manufacturing processes deliver consistent product quality.

Dr. Cuiffi’s research background encompasses nanoparticle characterization, antimicrobial mechanisms, and materials engineering. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented research findings at national and international conferences. This scientific foundation enables Dr. Cuiffi to approach product development challenges with rigor while maintaining focus on commercial viability and manufacturing scalability.

In his production oversight role, Dr. Cuiffi ensures that laboratory-scale innovations successfully transition to commercial manufacturing. He works closely with production partners to implement quality control protocols, validate antimicrobial performance, and troubleshoot technical challenges that arise during scale-up. His hands-on approach bridges the gap between scientific theory and commercial reality.

Dr. Cuiffi also leads customer technical support initiatives, working directly with manufacturers to optimize SmartSilver integration into their production processes. This customer-focused approach ensures successful technology implementation while generating valuable feedback that informs ongoing product development.

Daniel J. Hayes, Ph.D. - Vice President, Operations

Dr. Daniel Hayes brings expertise in viable nanotechnology device development to his operations leadership role at NanoHorizons. His focus on translating laboratory concepts into manufacturable products ensures that NanoHorizons technologies meet the practical requirements of commercial production while delivering promised performance.

Dr. Hayes oversees supply chain management, production planning, and operational efficiency initiatives that enable NanoHorizons to meet customer demands while maintaining product quality and cost competitiveness. His systems-oriented approach to operations management creates scalable processes capable of supporting company growth across multiple market segments.

In his role, Dr. Hayes coordinates closely with manufacturing partners, ensures regulatory compliance, and implements quality assurance systems that validate product performance. His technical background enables informed decision-making on process optimization and technology implementation while his operational focus ensures decisions translate to improved business performance.

Dennis I. Schneider - Vice President, Marketing

Dennis Schneider leads NanoHorizons’ marketing and commercial development initiatives, bringing 25 years of high-technology marketing, sales, and management experience. His background includes senior marketing roles in public companies where he successfully built brands, launched new products, and developed market positioning strategies for technology-intensive products.

Mr. Schneider’s approach to marketing emphasizes performance validation, customer education, and building credibility through demonstrated results. Rather than relying on unsubstantiated marketing claims, he focuses on documenting genuine antimicrobial performance through testing, case studies, and customer testimonials that build market confidence in SmartSilver technology.

His market development strategy identifies applications where SmartSilver technology creates genuine value, then builds targeted marketing programs that reach decision-makers in those industries. This focused approach enables efficient market penetration while building strong customer relationships based on performance and technical support.

Mr. Schneider also oversees sales channel development, distributor relationships, and customer technical literature development. His collaborative approach works closely with customers to understand their needs and develop solutions that address real market requirements.

Board of Directors

NanoHorizons’ Board of Directors provides strategic guidance, governance oversight, and access to extensive networks across technology, finance, and commercial sectors.

Edward Frymoyer, Ph.D. - Director

Dr. Edward Frymoyer brings entrepreneurial and venture capital expertise to the NanoHorizons Board. As co-founder of Brocade Communications Systems and Infinity I/O, Dr. Frymoyer has demonstrated ability to build successful technology companies from inception through public markets. His experience co-chairing Pulsar Ventures provides valuable perspective on technology investment, market evaluation, and growth strategy.

Dr. Frymoyer’s technology background combined with business acumen provides valuable guidance on product strategy, market positioning, and business development opportunities. His network within technology and investment communities creates opportunities for partnerships and market expansion.

Suresh Mahajan, Ph.D. - Director

Dr. Suresh Mahajan contributes deep industrial experience from his career at Catalytica, Inc., where he served as Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Research and Development. His expertise in chemical process development, catalysis, and industrial R&D management provides valuable perspective on scaling nanotechnology from laboratory to commercial production.

Dr. Mahajan’s guidance on manufacturing strategy, quality systems, and technical operations helps NanoHorizons navigate the challenges of commercial production while maintaining product quality and cost competitiveness. His experience in regulatory compliance and industrial safety informs company policies on product stewardship and environmental responsibility.

Peter M. Fonash, Ph.D. - Director

Dr. Peter M. Fonash brings extensive government technology leadership experience to the NanoHorizons Board. As Chief of Technology and Programs for the National Communications System within the U.S. Senior Executive Service, Dr. Fonash developed expertise in technology assessment, strategic planning, and large-scale technology implementation.

His perspective on technology evaluation frameworks, risk assessment, and program management provides valuable guidance on company strategy and operations. Dr. Fonash’s government experience also informs company approaches to regulatory compliance and potential government market opportunities.

Advisory Board

NanoHorizons’ Advisory Board includes accomplished executives and technical experts who provide specialized guidance on business development, technology strategy, and market opportunities.

Terry Flanagan, Ph.D. - Advisor

As founder of JNI and holder of over 20 years of executive experience in technical management, Dr. Flanagan provides guidance on technology commercialization, product development, and manufacturing operations. His practical experience building technology companies informs advisory support on operational challenges and growth strategy.

Kumar Malavalli - Advisor

Kumar Malavalli co-founded Brocade Communications and served as Chief Technology Officer, demonstrating exceptional ability to identify market opportunities and build technology solutions that capture them. His expertise in technology strategy, product development, and market positioning provides valuable perspective on NanoHorizons’ commercial strategy.

Kevin Harter - Advisor

As Senior Vice President of the Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania, Kevin Harter brings expertise in technology entrepreneurship, business development, and regional economic development. His guidance on business strategy, partnership development, and growth planning helps NanoHorizons navigate expansion opportunities while building sustainable competitive advantages.

Our Commitment

The NanoHorizons leadership team is committed to advancing nanotechnology applications that deliver genuine value across industrial, healthcare, and consumer markets. Through scientific rigor, manufacturing excellence, and customer focus, we work to make antimicrobial nanotechnology accessible, effective, and economically viable for companies seeking to enhance their products with proven performance.

Our combination of scientific expertise, business acumen, and industry experience positions NanoHorizons to continue leading innovation in commercial nanotechnology applications while building lasting relationships with customers who demand both performance and partnership.