GARDEN GROVE, CA -- OK International has named Christopher Larocca president, effective immediately. He supersedes Mark Cowell, who is retiring after 30 years with OK, the past eight as president.

Larocca was chief operating officer at Emcore, a publicly held $200 million manufacturer of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the fiber-optic, military/defense and aerospace solar power markets.  Previously, he was vice president for GELcore, a solid state lighting joint venture between General Electric and Emcore. He also has held sales and quality positions at GE  Lighting. He has a master's in business administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Clemson.

In his new role, Larocca will report directly to John Hartner, president and CEO of Dover Printing & Identification.

“I would like to congratulate Chris on his new role leading OK International. OK International is a strong company that Chris will bring new energy and an enhanced growth orientation to. It is exciting for our customers and the team," Hartner said in a statement. “I also would like to thank Mark Cowell for the many contributions made during his career at OK International. We wish Mark much success in his retirement.”