Tom Zarella, CEO and Founder
Tom provides overall executive leadership for the company in his role as CEO. Tom has extensive experience developing and commercializing crystal growth equipment and creating high-growth and profitable advanced materials businesses. He leveraged this expertise to help shape the strategic direction of the company’s lab-grown material business model.
Prior to founding Diamond Works Technology, Tom served as president and CEO of SustainX, an energy storage startup. Prior to SustainX, he held executive leadership roles as COO and CEO. Tom grew annual revenues from $9M to $544M culminating in a successful IPO in 2008. Before GT Solar, Tom held senior management roles at Schott Solar AG's U.S. manufacturing operations, where he was instrumental in transforming the R&D-oriented company into a full-scale manufacturer of photovoltaic products, Instron Corporation, Revere Corporation, Sprague Meter (Textron, Inc.), and Sikorsky Aircraft (United Technologies).
Tom holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport.
Paul Beaulieu, VP Business Development, Founder
Paul leads the Company’s business development function which focuses on leveraging and advancing its diamond growth technologies across a range of market segments.
Paul was instrumental in driving the industry research and business strategy that led to the founding of Diamond Works Technology and he brings over 20 years of expertise in strategy and operations roles, primarily at companies focused on materials science technologies.
He is the former EVP and GM of Crystal Systems (advanced MOCVD materials) at GT Advanced Technologies. Prior to founding Diamond Works Technology, Paul was President of Catalina Ventures Group LLC, an advisory firm to companies and investors on strategic, technology, product development and supply chain matters.
Paul holds a BS from the University of New Hampshire, a MS from Northeastern University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Daniel Lyman, General Counsel, Founder
Dan leads the company’s corporate legal and contracts function.
As founder, Dan played a key role in the formation of the company and in negotiating and drafting the technology partnership agreements with Diamond Elements Pvt. Ltd. Dan brings over 30 years of experience in corporate law, including public & private companies, & private & government law practices.
An expert in contract law, Dan led the development of technology contracts for specialty materials and crystal growth companies and was instrumental in negotiating, drafting, and finalizing technology licenses and customer sales agreements that led to $3+ billion in crystal growth equipment sales. Dan is also a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri.
Dan holds a BA degree from Harvard College and a JD from St. Louis University School of Law.
Jeff Nestel-Patt, VP Marketing and Sustainability, Founder
Jeff leads our marketing function to establish the global Diamond Works Technology brand as a leading supplier of sustainably grown, high quality lab-grown diamonds. Jeff is also responsible for developing the company’s sustainable manufacturing practices with the goal of creating a carbon neutral footprint across its operations.
Jeff brings over 25 years of experience in all aspects of corporate and product marketing, media and analyst relations, brand creation and customer engagement. Jeff has held senior marketing positions with companies in advanced materials, renewable energy, consumer electronics and semiconductor industries including GT Advanced Technologies, Applied Materials, Brooks Automation, and Danaher, Jeff has authored numerous articles that have appeared in business and technical trade journals.
Jeff holds a BA degree in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin.
Jayam Sonani, VP Technology
Jayam is our VP of Technology and the key developer of the CVD diamond growth technology at Diamond Elements Pvt. Ltd., a leader in lab-grown CVD diamond growth process technology.
Diamond Elements supplies top-tier gemstone customers with high quality cut and polished lab-grown diamonds, and optical, mechanical, and electronic grade material for companies in the power electronics, industrial cutting and other industrial applications. Jayam is a third generation diamond growth technologist and a founder of Diamond Elements.
Jayam holds a BE degree in Electrical Engineering.