Manny Teran
Chief Executive Officer
Manny is an award-winning business leader, engineer, and entrepreneur with expertise in the areas of innovation, technology deployment, sales, and marketing. Manny has applied his vast cross market experience to launch hundreds of successful commercialization projects, support the growth of established businesses, and has helped many startups launch their companies to sustainable revenue. Manny has also succeeded in launching and growing technology companies, including Aztera, which he started in 2011 and quickly grew to a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Aztera developed novel technologies across medical device, aerospace, and clean-energy markets.
Manny graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He currently serves on several boards including the University of Arizona College of Engineering Industry Partnership Board and formally at Tech Launch Arizona Advisory Board and UA Alumni Association Advisory Board. Manny has also won a series of awards including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40, UA Innovation & Impact Award, Copper Cactus Innovation Award, and the SBDC Success Award.
Chris Foster
Chief Operating Officer
Chris has been with IRLabs since 2000 and served as Director of Engineering from 2016 to 2024 before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Chris oversees day-to-day operations, ensuring all departments work cohesively to meet strategic goals. He is focused on optimizing internal processes, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, and driving innovation to scale the company’s custom solutions and services. He is committed to improving operational efficiency while maintaining the high standards of quality and customer satisfaction that IRLabs is known for.
Over his career with IRLabs, Chris has become an expert in designing, testing, and supporting technologies used for high-sensitivity infrared detection including, spectrometry, cryogenic engineering and system design, high vacuum system design, and opto-mechanical systems. As Director of Engineering, Chris worked closely with customers to develop the project scope, goals, schedule, and deliverables for custom and integrated solutions. He led a cross-discipline team to design, fabricate, and test IR detectors and cryogenic solutions.
Chris has played a pivotal role in several high-profile projects. On the Neo Surveyor project, he collaborated with the University of Arizona, JPL, and Space Dynamics Lab to provide critical test systems, contributing to the mission’s efforts in asteroid detection and planetary defense. Chris was also a contributing author for a paper detailing IRLabs’ role in the Mid Infrared Spectrometer at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, enhancing its capabilities for advanced astronomical research. Additionally, he led IRLabs’ engineering team in the development and delivery of an automatic wafer probing system for the IREM product line, streamlining processes and improving precision in infrared detector manufacturing.
Chris received his bachelor of science in Physics with a minor in Astronomy from the University of Arizona. As a UA Research Assistant, he tested mirror-polishing technologies at the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab and assisted with fullerene experiments.
Steven Zoltowski
Sales Manager
During his more than 30-year career with IRLabs, Steven has worked with hundreds of customers to take their concept from prototype to completed project. Steve started with the company in 1983 as a machinist after graduating from the University of Arizona. He was the seventh employee hired. He learned the business from the ground up, working in purchasing, customer support, project management, and sales. In 1992, Steve spearheaded the company’s development of the world’s first infrared emission microscope. Since 2009 Steve has been director of sales, where he continues to work with customers in academia and industry.
Eveke Calixtro
Operations Manager
Eveke joined IRLabs in 2020 as a mechanical engineering intern and quickly demonstrated her technical expertise and leadership. After earning her bachelor's degree, she transitioned into a full-time role as a production engineer, where she played a key role in streamlining manufacturing processes and ensuring product quality.
In 2024, Eveke was promoted to Operations Manager, where she now oversees the daily production workflow, manages scheduling and budgeting, and ensures the maintenance of facilities and equipment. She is currently working on her master's degree in electrical engineering while guiding operations and personnel to another successful year.