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Dr. Harlan Byker, PHD

Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder

Harlan has over 40 years of scientific research and development, invention, manufacturing and patent experience. He originally conceived of the idea for a sunlight responsive thermochromic window and led a team of scientists and engineers in the discovery and development of Pleotint thermochromic technology. Harlan is an inventor or co-inventor on 58 issued U.S. patents and he was the sole inventor the chemistry portion of the first commercially successful electrochromic device, an automatic dimming rear view mirror for motor vehicles. Over 300 million of these mirrors have been sold and nearly 20% of all vehicles built in the world today incorporate one or more electrochromic mirrors with the chemistry he invented.

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Tom Donovan

President

Tom has over 25 years of international business experience. From 2002 to 2006 he served as Chief Financial Officer of InterOil Corporation a publicly traded (NYMEX: IOC), integrated energy company in Australasia. Prior to InterOil, Tom held various senior financial positions with Rapid Design Service, Inc. for 8 years and International Total Services, Inc. for 4 years. His career has given him a broad spectrum of experience in management, accounting, finance, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, structuring and regulatory compliance in the areas of energy, finance, manufacturing, real estate and services.  Tom obtained a Bachelor of Business and Administration in Accounting and Finance from the University of Toledo.

Jeremy Deutschmann

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy is responsible for all of Pleotint’s financial functions including accounting, treasury, corporate finance, long-range business planning, and human resources with the overall goal of accelerating innovation and maximizing long-term shareholder value. His career spans more than 20 years of varied experience in commercial banking, financial management, business leadership and corporate strategy.  Prior to joining Pleotint in May 2017, Jeremy spent 13 years with West Michigan Community Bank, serving as vice president and manager of their Grand Rapids market.  He was a familiar face at Pleotint, having served as their lead banker for nearly a decade.  Jeremy received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Covenant College.

Michael Broekhuis

Chief Technology Officer

With over 25 years of expertise in quality, manufacturing, and product engineering, Mike has been instrumental in driving innovation at Thompson Innovative Glass. His career began at Haworth, where he excelled in their engineering development program and became the only engineer to secure a patent. In 2007, Mike joined Pleotint, a start-up specializing in thermochromic glass, where he contributed to testing methods, product innovation, and manufacturing techniques. Since Pleotint’s acquisition of Thompson in 2012, he has driven advancements in product design and capacity expansion, particularly in the ballistic security glass market. Mike’s strategic vision and commitment to innovation continue to propel Thompson’s growth and industry excellence. Mike obtained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Calvin University.

Ed Wilson

General Manager

Ed began his career in the late 1970s at Double Seal Glass Co., later moving to Beachcraft where he reunited with Russ Manser and Lorne Flaig. Together, they founded Thompson Innovative Glass in 1989. With over 40 years of experience in the engineering of glass processing equipment and systems development, Ed has been a cornerstone of the company’s growth. His hands-on approach and extensive knowledge have driven advancements in technology and operational efficiency, establishing Thompson’s reputation for innovation and quality in the glass industry.

Lorne Flaig

VP Customer & Supplier Relations

Lorne began his career at Double Seal Glass Co. in Flint, MI, in 1981. After the company was acquired by Guardian Glass in 1984, he relocated to their Millbury, OH operation. In 1987, eager to return to Michigan, Lorne joined Beachcraft, reuniting with colleagues Russ Manser and Ed Wilson. Together, they started producing insulating glass units for Beachcraft, which ultimately led to the founding of Thompson Innovative Glass in 1989. With over 40 years of experience in manufacturing and management, Lorne has been instrumental in driving successful project completions. His unwavering dedication to customer service and leadership has set high standards for quality and reliability, reinforcing Thompson’s reputation for excellence in the industry.

Scott Caron

Plant Manager

Plant Manager since 2018, Scott has been with Thompson Innovative Glass since 2002. Rising through nearly every position in the plant, Scott has developed deep expertise in glass fabrication processes and materials. This expertise has been critical in new product design and in achieving ISO 9001 certification. His adept management of customer expectations, production constraints, quality objectives, and personnel has elevated Thompson from a regional player to a national leader, showcasing his commitment to excellence and innovation.

Meredith Kinsel

Director of Human Resources

Meredith Kinsel joined Thompson Innovative Glass in November of 2024. She is a strategic HR leader with over 25 years of experience in diverse industries—including financial services and a range of manufacturing environments such as automotive, industrial equipment, and consumer goods. She holds a degree in Human Resources from Michigan State University and has built a career defined by strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to cultivating inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures.

Throughout her career, Meredith has led transformative HR initiatives, aligning talent strategies with business goals and driving organizational growth.