Konarka Technologies is strengthening its management team with the appointment of Dr. James Buntaine as its executive vice president and chief technology officer. The new position adds weight behind the recent appointment of Kenneth McCauley as vice president of sales and marketing to transition the company into its commercial ramp phase. Dr Buntaine comes from Eastman Kodak after a 30-year career at the firm.
“Jim has developed broad and deep experience in leadership of applied research, advanced technology development, IP strategy and product commercialization in the fields of printing, coating, materials, devices and systems during his decades at Eastman Kodak,” commented Howard Berke. “We are fortunate to have him apply his leadership skills, as well as his extensive experience in developing business-to-business relationships to produce joint technologies and successful products to further the deployment of Konarka’s Power Plastic.”
Dr Buntaine joined Eastman Kodak in 1980 in the Solid State Chemistry Laboratory. After holding many leadership positions within Kodak, he moved to the Display and Components Business Unit as technology director in 2004 where he repurposed Kodak’s coating machines for non-photographic applications. From 2007-2009, he served as CTO of Kodak’s OLED Systems Business, ultimately leading to the OLED Business sale to the LG Group.
Most recently, he was CTO of the Graphics Prepress and Packaging Business responsible for new technology creation, commercialization and external technology collaborations. He also developed an extensive IP portfolio while at Kodak.
He holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in chemistry and mathematics at Clark University, a doctorate degree in inorganic chemistry from Cornell University, and is a program graduate of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.