KULITE - Key Persons

Dr. Anthony D. Kurtz wasn't asking for much. He simply wanted to create a high-tech company that would be recognized as the worldwide expert in its field. He got exactly what he wanted. And more. After receiving his undergraduate and doctoral degrees in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Kurtz worked in an MIT lab and later for Honeywell in Boston. He moved home to New Jersey in 1959 to start Kulite which went on to became the global leader in transducer technology. Dr. Kurtz had the sense of a scientist, the mind of an entrepreneur and the heart to bring the two worlds together. Instilling basic core values in the company helped make Kulite the success it is today. Believing deeply in the importance of education, Dr. Kurtz forged strong working relationships with top schools such as Oxford University, MIT and Columbia University, encouraged his employees to take college courses for which the company would pay and instituted a scholarship program for employees' children. Dr. Kurtz was a big advocate of hiring for life. He recognized the inherent value that all ages brought to the table. Older employees imparted their wisdom while the younger shared their vitality. People came to Kulite and stayed, some for 10, 20 or even 40 years. And, even as the company expanded to over 800 employees, Dr. Kurtz maintained his hands-on approach, calling nearly every person by name. Dr. Kurtz passed away in 2010, leaving his legacy to his wife, Nora Kurtz, who now runs the business with the same sensibilities and smarts on which it was founded.