LIVERMORE, Calif. – August 5, 2010 – Ivan Di Federico, who was recently named chief strategy officer of Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS), has been selected to join the Topcon Corporation executive committee for the Tokyo-based positioning business unit.

In making the announcement, Ray O’Connor, president and CEO of TPS, and newly appointed managing executive officer of Topcon Corporation, said, “Ivan’s appointment to the positioning business unit executive committee is a result of his leadership in expanding and creating opportunities in all areas of our positioning business. As former senior vice president of global engineering, Ivan’s ideas, drive and determination have greatly benefited Topcon Corporation.”

O’Connor said, “Our company is a world leader in precise positioning technology in the businesses we serve because of the dedication and hard work of all employees. Over the past several years, Ivan’s accomplishments have been exemplary in all respects.”

Di Federico, formerly senior vice president for global engineering, is only the second person of non-Japanese descent to be named to the corporation’s executive committee, following O’Connor’s appointment in 2008.

Regarding his appointment, Di Federico said, “I feel privileged that Topcon has chosen me for this special honor. It has been my pleasure to work with members of the Topcon executive committee and company executives throughout the world over the years. The company’s dedication to perfection in every single area and commitment to customer service has been an inspiration to me.”

He said, “I want to express my personal gratitude to Ray for challenging me in my various roles with TPS.” Di Federico also said, “I can not adequately express my appreciation to the leadership of Topcon Corporation, and especially Takashi Yokokura, president and CEO of Topcon Corporation, and Satoshi Hirano, director, executive officer, and general manager of the positioning business unit, for this honor.

“I fully realize the historical significance of this appointment and pledge to do whatever it takes in my two new roles, with TPS and Topcon Corporation, to assist in positively driving the company’s global initiatives in the positioning business unit.”

In his new TPS role as chief strategy officer, Di Federico will be responsible for research and development, engineering, product management and marketing.

Di Federico, with master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering (University of Pisa – Italy) and business administration (Open University Business School – England), began his professional career in 1993 as an electronic designer of paving control systems at Bitelli Corporation (now Caterpillar).

In 2000, he joined Sauer-Danfoss and was in charge of global marketing for electronic products. In 2005, he became CEO of Topcon Sauer-Danfoss Integrated Controls. He was appointed senior vice president of global engineering for TPS in 2008, and the same year jointly held the title of president of Topcon Tierra.

In addition to these duties, he is also president and CEO of GEOTOP, a European survey equipment distributor.


Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS) designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange – 7732), was founded in 1932.