Jim Bast is a pioneer in pick to light technology. He co-founded the industrial software business that would become Lighting Pick Technologies in 1982 and served as its General Manager for 29 years before selling the business to Matthews International in 2011. He ran the company for 10 years as a business unit of Matthews International, presiding over its growth and expansion into new applications.

Jim retired from Matthews in 2021 and works with Clarity on Fundless Sponsor opportunities in the automation field.