Cognex Appoints Sami Atiya and Chris Donato to Board of Directors
MWN-AI** Summary
Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX), a leader in industrial machine vision, has announced the appointments of Dr. Sami Atiya and Mr. Chris Donato to its Board of Directors, effective March 2, 2026. This move is part of Cognex's strategy to enhance its leadership team as it aims to establish itself as the premier provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the machine vision sector and to double its customer base over the next five years.
Matt Moschner, the company's President and CEO, expressed excitement about the new board members, highlighting that Dr. Atiya and Mr. Donato bring extensive experience that aligns with Cognex's strategic objectives. Dr. Atiya, who has 30 years of executive experience in automation and AI, previously held leadership roles at ABB Ltd. and Siemens AG. He has also been a director at SGS SA since 2020. Mr. Donato, with 25 years in enterprise sales leadership, currently serves as President and Chief Revenue Officer at Zendesk, Inc., having also worked in significant roles at Celonis and Oracle.
Their appointments come with the retirement of Robert Willett, former CEO of Cognex, and Dr. Dianne Parrotte from the Board. Anthony Sun, Chair of the Board, acknowledged their contributions to the company and welcomed the new directors as valuable additions that will enhance Cognex's capabilities and perspectives.
These changes reflect Cognex’s commitment to strengthening its Board with independent directors who bring diverse skills and experiences, ensuring the company is well-positioned for future growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving machine vision industry.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent appointment of Dr. Sami Atiya and Mr. Chris Donato to Cognex Corporation’s Board of Directors positions the company for an exciting growth trajectory within the increasingly competitive industrial machine vision sector. With Dr. Atiya's extensive background in automation and AI, and Mr. Donato's expertise in enterprise sales and business development, their contributions are likely to enhance Cognex’s strategic initiatives aimed at doubling its customer base over the next five years.
Investors should take note that Cognex is not merely enhancing its board but actively aligning its leadership with its ambition to lead in AI-driven machine vision technology. The board’s commitment to appoint six independent directors since 2021 reflects a strategy focused on diverse expertise essential for navigating the complexities of innovation in this field. This shift is likely intended to improve corporate governance and increase investor confidence.
Given the dual focus on enhancing customer experience and leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, stakeholders should view this change as a signal of Cognex's adaptability. The company appears poised to capture the growing demand for automation across various sectors, a trend that could lead to robust revenue growth and, consequently, stronger stock performance.
However, potential investors should remain cognizant of the historical volatility associated with tech stocks and the possible risks inherent in aggressive growth strategies. Keeping an eye on implementation progress regarding the stated strategic objectives will be vital in assessing the efficacy of these new appointments.
In summary, Cognex's recent board additions could herald a transformative period for the company, making it an intriguing prospect for investors seeking exposure to the AI and automation markets. However, continuous evaluation of market conditions and operational progress will be key in validating this optimistic outlook.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
NATICK, Mass., Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX), ("Cognex"), the global technology leader in industrial machine vision, today announced the appointments of Dr. Sami Atiya and Mr. Chris Donato to Cognex's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective March 2, 2026.
"We are excited to welcome Sami and Chris to our Board," said Matt Moschner, President and CEO. "We remain focused on our strategic objectives of becoming the leading provider of AI technology for industrial machine vision, delivering the best customer experience in our industry and doubling our customer base over the next five years. The addition of Sami's and Chris' significant experience complements this strategy by bringing industry and market expertise, as well as deep knowledge of modern sales tools. I look forward to partnering with them and the entire Board as we execute on our next phase of profitable growth."
In conjunction with the appointments of Dr. Atiya and Mr. Donato, Robert Willett, former CEO of Cognex, and Dr. Dianne Parrotte will retire from the Board, effective March 2, 2026.
"We are grateful to Rob and Dianne for their expertise and guidance during their tenures on our Board. Each has made tremendous contributions to Cognex, Rob as a director and our former CEO and Dianne as a director," said Anthony Sun, Chairman of Cognex's Board of Directors. "We are also pleased to welcome Sami and Chris as our newest directors. Sami's 30 years of executive leadership experience in automation, robotics, AI and medical technology, paired with Chris' 25 years of experience driving enterprise sales and profitable growth, will add valuable skillsets and perspectives to Cognex's boardroom."
The appointments of Dr. Atiya and Mr. Donato follow an extensive search led by the Board's Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee. With these additions, the Board will have appointed six independent directors since 2021, reflecting the Board's commitment to ensuring it has the right skills and experiences to lead Cognex into its next phase of growth.
About Sami Atiya
Sami Atiya, 62, previously served in several leadership roles at ABB Ltd. from 2016 to 2025, including most recently as President of the Robotics and Discrete Automation business and as a Member of the Group Executive Committee. Prior to this, Dr. Atiya spent nearly two decades at Siemens AG, where he served as Division CEO of Mobility and Logistics within Siemens Infrastructure from 2011 to 2015 and as CEO of the Computer Tomography and Radiation Oncology business at Siemens Healthcare from 2008 to 2011. Dr. Atiya currently serves on the Board of Directors of SGS SA, a provider of laboratory testing, product inspection, certification and consulting services globally, a position he has held since 2020. Dr. Atiya holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a PhD from the University of Wuppertal, Germany and a Master of Science from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany.
About Chris Donato
Chris Donato, 60, has served as President and Chief Revenue Officer of Zendesk, Inc. since May of 2024, responsible for Zendesk's global go-to-market organization. Prior to this, Mr. Donato was President of Global Sales and Field Engineering at Celonis SE from 2021 to 2024. He spent 25 years at Oracle Corporation in various leadership roles, including as EVP of Applications and Consulting, North America from 2016 to 2021. Mr. Donato holds a Bachelor of Science from Susquehanna University and is a former Trustee at Lafayette College.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Readers can identify these forward-looking statements by our use of the words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "potential," "believes," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," "shall," "could," "should," "opportunity," "goal" and similar words and other statements of a similar sense. These statements are based on our current estimates and expectations as to prospective events and circumstances, which may or may not be in our control and as to which there can be no firm assurances given. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the "Risk Factors" and related discussions in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Cognex cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Cognex disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date such statements are made.
About Cognex
For over 40 years, Cognex has been making advanced machine vision easy, paving the way for manufacturing and distribution companies to become faster, smarter, and more efficient through automation. Innovative technology in our vision sensors and systems solves critical manufacturing and distribution challenges, providing unparalleled performance for industries from automotive to consumer electronics to packaged goods.
Cognex makes these tools more capable and easier to deploy thanks to a longstanding focus on AI, helping factories and warehouses improve quality and maximize efficiency without needing highly technical expertise. We are headquartered near Boston, USA, with locations in over 30 countries and more than 30,000 customers worldwide. Learn more at cognex.com.
IR Contact:
Greer Aviv – Head of Investor Relations
Cognex Corporation
ir@cognex.com
SOURCE Cognex Corporation
FAQ**
How do the appointments of Dr. Sami Atiya and Mr. Chris Donato to the Board of Directors impact Cognex Corporation (CGNX) strategies for AI technology in industrial machine vision?
What specific skills and experiences will Sami Atiya and Chris Donato bring to Cognex Corporation (CGNX) that align with its objective of doubling the customer base in the next five years?
Considering the retirements of Robert Willett and Dr. Dianne Parrotte, how will the changes in Cognex Corporation (CGNX) Board composition influence its governance and strategic direction?
What are the expected outcomes from the extensive search by Cognex Corporation (CGNX) for board members that led to the selection of Sami and Chris, and how do their backgrounds support the company's growth initiatives?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX).
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