Sherrard, German & Kelly is proud to announce that Walter R. (Bob) Bashaw II has been named President of II-VI Incorporated. Bob served as a Managing Shareholder and Director of the firm until October 2018. The move reinforces the close connection between the firm and its long-time flagship client, a relationship that has spanned the duration of II-VI’s corporate existence beginning with its incorporation in 1971. Bob’s appointment became official upon the recent completion of II-VI’s acquisition of Finisar Corporation, which roughly doubled the size of the company.
II-VI’s selection of Bob for such a crucial role reflects the depth of the partnership between SGK and II-VI. SGK served as II-VI’s outside general counsel for much of its history and has led or worked on all of II-VI’s mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic domestic and international transactions since II-VI’s inception. Through the decades marking that partnership, II-VI has transformed into a global leader in engineered materials, optoelectronic components and optical systems across numerous industries such as telecommunications, aerospace and defense, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, materials processing, automotive and consumer electronics. Working alongside II-VI, SGK has proven itself to be a first-class business, transactional and technology services law firm. Bob’s appointment is a credit to the work he and others at SGK have continuously completed for II-VI over the decades, and the respect they have earned.
We will miss Bob’s direct involvement in the firm, but we support him in his new professional chapter, as a friend, colleague, and now as a client. As we are about to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the merger of three historic Pittsburgh firms to form SGK in 1990 as well as the 150th anniversary of our oldest predecessor firm, we embrace our rich heritage and deep connections with our clients while looking toward our future. We are excited to continue supporting II-VI, as well as all of our other diverse and sophisticated clients, in the years to come.
As always, our focus remains to provide first-class service, sophisticated legal and business advice and practical solutions that reflect our deep understanding of the complex legal and business realities that our clients face.