Tolono, IL. As First-Light USA begins celebrating our 20th Anniversary, we are excited to announce the addition of Noel Sons as our new President.
Sons recently retired after 23 years of service as a Navy SEAL. With extensive expertise in Special Operations Medicine, Noel completed thirteen combat deployments and held various specialized roles within the Navy SEALs. Notably, he established the Tactical Medical Training Cell, revolutionizing Special Operations Medic training. As a published author, presenter, and holder of multiple medical credentials, including National Registry Paramedic and Critical Care Paramedic, Noel is renowned for his innovative approach and holds patents for several medical products. His role at First-Light USA will ensure the delivery of essential lifesaving solutions for Warfighters.
He will be responsible for connecting with the TACMED community to ensure that all Warfighters who provide casualty care are trained and equipped with our highly versatile tactical lighting platforms. His knowledge and experience position him as a trusted TCCC subject matter expert and will allow him to engage with Medics and provide them with the most effective tactical illumination tools available.
With extensive leadership experience across military and medical sectors, Sons also currently serves as Director of Innovation Cell at our sister company, Hourglass, where he leads initiatives that align medical solutions with military needs. Hourglass is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois at the University of Illinois Research Park where they develop broadly patented and validated capabilities that are fundamentally altering how people interact with technology across the industrial, defense, and medical markets.
Sons stated, “My dual leadership roles allow me to bridge cutting-edge technologies in both industries, fostering collaboration between sectors and ensuring that both companies remain focused on delivering high-quality, mission-critical products. I am passionate about defining clear operational scopes and providing strategic direction to enhance efficiency, while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs and product innovation.”
First-Light USA Founder and Chairman, Jeremy Ross has known Noel for over a decade while he was active and a fervent proponent of our tactical lighting tools, particularly as they relate to TACMED applications. According to Mr. Ross, ”Noel has been a friend and loyal user of First-Light products for over a decade. His experience as a Special Operations Medic and his knowledge of the operational environment are extremely valuable as we serve Warfighters and First Responders with our legacy products and as we innovate and deliver entirely new solutions”.