Cognex Corp names new CEO

Cognex Corp said the company's president and COO Robert Willett has been promoted to CEO.

He will continue to report to Dr. Robert J. Shillman, who remains chairman of the board, and who will take on the newly-created role of Cognex’s chief culture officer (CCO).

"Although I have given up my responsibilities as CEO, I will continue to be very involved with the company. I will split my time between seeking out new technologies, markets and acquisitions that will help us grow in the years ahead," said Dr. Shillman.

"And, in my new role as CCO, I will work hard to maintain our unique corporate culture in every office around the world so that Cognex can continue to be a great place for smart, creative and hardworking people to build their careers."

In his most recent role as president and COO, Willett had management responsibility for sales, marketing, product development and operations for both of Cognex's two divisions (the modular vision systems division and the surface inspection systems division).

As CEO, he will now also be responsible for the company's global finance & administration functions.