News

Ben M. La Marca Named President of Kyocera Optics, Inc.

SOMERSET, NJ -- August 29, 2002 -- Ben M. La Marca, an imaging industry veteran, has been appointed President of Kyocera Optics, Inc. (“KOI”). In his new position, La Marca will be responsible for KOI’s operations and the North American digital imaging market strategy for the award-winning Kyocera family of imaging solutions sold under the Contax, Kyocera Yashica and Kyocera Finecam brands.

 

“Ben La Marca brings a track record of successful results with some of the leading names in imaging,” said Rodney N. Lanthorne, President of Kyocera International, Inc., and Senior Managing and Representative Director of parent Kyocera Corporation. “We are delighted to have Ben provide his strong leadership and insights to our business.”

 

Before joining Kyocera, La Marca served as CEO of Clinton Management Group, a consulting practice serving the digital imaging and digital content sectors. His professional experience also includes executive positions at both Olympus America and Eastman Kodak Company, focusing on consumer, professional, office and entertainment imaging, as well as corporate business development and marketing.

 

“I am honored to lead Kyocera’s North American imaging business in these times for the industry,” La Marca stated. “Kyocera’s core competencies in imaging, optics, wireless communications and information technology uniquely position us to be a significant participant in the high-growth ‘infoimaging’ business. I look forward to working with our channel partners to serve our professional, business and consumer customers.”

 

La Marca received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Seton Hall University. He and his wife, Donna, and their five children reside in Annandale, New Jersey.

 

About Kyocera
Kyocera Optics, Inc. markets a complete line of high-end photographic equipment -- including digital imaging, medium format, SLR, rangefinder and sophisticated compact zoom cameras. The company also maintains the exclusive license to distribute world-renowned Carl Zeiss T* lenses for 35mm and Advanced Photo System cameras, and autofocus lenses for the medium format Contax 645. Kyocera Optics, Inc. is owned by Kyocera International, Inc., the holding company for seven wholly-owned Kyocera subsidiaries headquartered throughout North America.

 

Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the group’s global parent, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, the company has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. Kyocera Corporation recorded consolidated sales of $7.78 billion for the year ended March 31, 2002. On July 15, Kyocera was ranked #25 in Japan, and #272 in the world, on BusinessWeek magazine’s annual "Global 1000” listing of the world’s most highly valued publicly held companies.

 

CONTACT:
Shari Ehrlich
HWH Public Relations
PHONE: (212) 355-5049 ext. 113
EMAIL: sehrlich@hwhpr.com