About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Upbound Group Announces Appointment of Chief Growth Officer

By: via Business Wire

Newly created role will work to bring data-driven, targeted offerings to market for our customers and retail partners, driving growth across our portfolio of solutions

Upbound Group, Inc. (“Upbound” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPBD), a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial solutions that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers, today announced that, effective September 18, 2025, it has appointed Ms. Rebecca Wooters to the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer. Ms. Wooters will report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fahmi Karam.

The growth organization will consolidate Upbound’s marketing, data, analytics, customer experience, and product development teams into a single integrated group. This team will partner with our business segments to identify synergies and drive growth through innovative digital products with a focus on seamless customer experiences.

Ms. Wooters brings more than 30 years of executive leadership in digital transformation, product innovation, technology, and customer engagement. She was named one of the Top 25 Chief Digital Officers by Women We Admire in both 2024 and 2025, recognizing her impact across industries.

From 2020 to 2025, Ms. Wooters served as the first Chief Digital Officer at Signet Jewelers, the world’s largest specialty retail jeweler. There, she led the digital transformation of brands including Kay Jewelers, Zales, and Jared, implementing a connected commerce strategy powered by enterprise data, artificial intelligence, and agile delivery. Her leadership drove significant gains in e-commerce performance, ROI, and Net Promoter Score.

Prior to Signet, Ms. Wooters held senior roles at Citigroup Inc., including Managing Director; Chief Customer Experience Officer. She led digital strategy and innovation for the North America Consumer Group, advancing mobile-first engagement and loyalty through a data-informed, customer-centric approach. Her work spanned journey analytics, omnichannel design, communications, and agile execution.

“Rebecca’s appointment to this newly created executive role underscores our commitment to accelerating a customer-centric growth strategy fueled by innovation, data-driven insights, and digital channel expansion,” said Fahmi Karam, Chief Executive Officer of Upbound Group. “Throughout her career, Rebecca has demonstrated a consistent ability to drive innovation, operational excellence, and transformative customer experiences that elevate brands and deliver measurable business impact. She brings a distinctive blend of expertise in digital, omnichannel engagement and financial solutions that will strengthen our ability to serve customers in new and meaningful ways. Her leadership will be critical as we deepen digital engagement, harness emerging technologies, and reimagine how we create value for customers, partners, and shareholders. We are thrilled to welcome her to our executive team and look forward to the impact of her vision and contributions.”

About Upbound Group, Inc.

Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD), is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial solutions that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers. The Company’s customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Acima®, Brigit™, and Rent-A-Center® that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital channels, including over 2,300 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Upbound.com.

Forward‑Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding our growth strategies. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "continue," “maintain,” "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to material and adverse differences between actual and anticipated results include, but are not limited to, (1) the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences, spending and payment behaviors, and (2) the other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not undertake to, publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contacts

More News

View More
CrowdStrike’s Investor Day Sparks Bullish Momentum
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence Economy
Tickers CRWD
Is Richtech Robotics the Next Big Name in Automation?
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AN RR
How Vertiv Became the Bedrock of a Tech Mega-Trend
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers VRT
Rivian Is Emerging as a Supplemental Tesla Play
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMC GME RIVN TSLA
Lower Rates Put RV Stocks Back in the Fast Lane
Via MarketBeat
Tickers CWH THO WGO
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.