Path Robotics Strengthens Board With Strategic Appointments to Accelerate Physical AI Adoption in Manufacturing
Path Robotics, a global leader in physical artificial intelligence for manufacturing, has announced the appointment of two highly accomplished industry executives as independent members of its board of directors. Frank Klein, chief operations officer at Rocket Lab Corporation, and Geoffrey Chatas, senior vice president for operations at Yale University, join the board at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth trajectory. Their appointments underscore Path Robotics’ ambition to scale its physical AI solutions globally and deepen its impact across traditional manufacturing industries facing labor shortages, cost pressures, and increasing complexity.
The addition of Klein and Chatas reflects Path Robotics continued momentum as manufacturers worldwide look to advanced automation and artificial intelligence to modernize operations, improve quality, and maintain competitiveness. By strengthening its board with leaders who bring decades of experience in large-scale operations, finance, governance, and manufacturing transformation, Path is positioning itself for sustained expansion as demand for intelligent automation accelerates.
Advancing Physical AI for a Changing Manufacturing Landscape
Founded with the mission of bringing physical AI into real-world manufacturing environments, Path Robotics focuses on enabling robots to autonomously perform complex industrial tasks—particularly welding—without extensive manual programming. Unlike traditional automation systems that require rigid setups and specialized human expertise, Path’s AI-driven solutions allow robots to perceive, adapt, and execute tasks in dynamic factory environments.
This approach directly addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing manufacturers today: the shortage of skilled labor. Across industries such as automotive, heavy equipment, infrastructure, and energy, manufacturers are struggling to recruit and retain experienced welders and technicians. As production demands increase and reshoring efforts gain momentum, the gap between workforce availability and manufacturing needs continues to widen.
Path Robotics’ technology aims to bridge that gap by enabling manufacturers to produce more with existing resources, improve consistency and quality, and reduce dependency on hard-to-find skilled labor. The company’s rapid adoption across manufacturing sectors has fueled its growth, making strategic leadership guidance increasingly important as Path scales deployments and expands into new markets.
Frank Klein Brings Deep Manufacturing and Automotive Expertise
One of the newly appointed board members, Frank Klein, brings more than three decades of experience in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. Currently serving as chief operations officer at Rocket Lab Corporation, Klein oversees global operations for one of the world’s most prominent private space companies. His role includes managing complex, high-precision manufacturing systems and scaling production across multiple geographies—expertise that aligns closely with Path Robotics’ growth ambitions.
Before joining Rocket Lab, Klein built a distinguished career in the automotive industry, where he played a key role in shaping modern vehicle manufacturing. He was instrumental in launching electric vehicle programs at Rivian, helping the company transition from concept to large-scale production. Prior to that, he oversaw global production operations for Mercedes-Benz Vans, managing manufacturing networks across continents and navigating the challenges of quality, cost, and operational efficiency.
Klein also held senior leadership positions at Magna Steyr, where he led full vehicle engineering and manufacturing operations. Under his leadership, Magna Steyr became the first contract manufacturer to produce an electric vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of EV manufacturing.
Path Robotics co-founder and chief executive officer Andy Lonsberry emphasized the strategic value Klein brings to the board.
“Frank embodies the kind of bold, mission-driven leadership we value at Path,” Lonsberry said. “He is unafraid to take calculated risks, driven by measurable results, and relentlessly focused on building systems that endure. His deep experience scaling technically complex operations across industries, teams, and geographies makes him an invaluable addition as we continue to expand physical AI deployments worldwide.”
Klein’s connection to Path’s mission is rooted in his firsthand experience on factory floors. Throughout his career, he has encountered the operational challenges that arise when skilled labor shortages disrupt production schedules and limit growth.
“I’ve spent decades working in manufacturing plants around the world and have personally experienced the frustration of missing production targets because there simply weren’t enough skilled welders available,” Klein said. “What Path Robotics is building with physical AI directly addresses that challenge. The technology has the potential to fundamentally transform how modern manufacturing operates, and I’m honored to support Path as it continues to lead this transformation.”
Geoffrey Chatas Adds Financial and Institutional Leadership
Joining Klein on the board is Geoffrey Chatas, a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning finance, operations, energy, and higher education. Currently serving as senior vice president for operations at Yale University, Chatas oversees a vast and complex operational portfolio that includes finance, facilities, capital planning, and institutional governance.
Chatas’ background includes senior leadership roles at several major academic institutions, where he guided organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and financial complexity. Before joining Yale, he served as executive vice president at the University of Michigan, chief operating officer at Georgetown University, and chief financial officer at The Ohio State University. In these roles, he was responsible for managing multibillion-dollar budgets, overseeing large workforces, and aligning long-term strategy with operational execution.
Earlier in his career, Chatas held senior finance positions in the private sector, including roles at J.P. Morgan, Progress Energy, American Electric Power, Banc One Capital Corporation, and Citibank. This combination of financial acumen and operational leadership gives him a unique perspective on scaling organizations responsibly while maintaining strong governance and long-term value creation.
Lonsberry highlighted the importance of Chatas’ experience as Path Robotics enters its next phase of development.
“Geoff brings a disciplined, long-term perspective shaped by decades of leading complex institutions at scale,” he said. “His expertise in capital strategy, governance, and operational excellence will be instrumental as we continue to grow Path and prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
For Chatas, Path Robotics represents a compelling intersection of innovation, industrial impact, and long-term value creation.
“Path is advancing solutions that are already delivering meaningful results across industrial manufacturing,” Chatas said. “Drawing on my experience across finance, operations, the energy sector, and startup environments, I’m excited to work alongside the Path team to support its continued growth, drive innovation, and deliver lasting value for customers and partners.”
Supporting Rapid Growth and Global Expansion
The appointments of Klein and Chatas come at a time when Path Robotics is experiencing rapid growth and expanding adoption of its physical AI solutions across global manufacturing markets. As manufacturers seek to modernize operations, improve resilience, and respond to workforce challenges, interest in autonomous and AI-driven systems continues to rise.
Path’s board now benefits from enhanced depth in operational scaling, financial oversight, and strategic governance—capabilities that are essential as the company expands deployments, forms new partnerships, and explores additional applications for physical AI beyond welding.
With Klein’s experience in scaling manufacturing-intensive organizations and Chatas’ expertise in managing complex institutions and capital strategies, Path Robotics is strengthening its leadership foundation to support long-term growth. Their combined perspectives are expected to help guide the company as it navigates the evolving landscape of advanced manufacturing, automation, and artificial intelligence.
Positioning for the Next Phase of Manufacturing Innovation
As global manufacturing enters a new era defined by automation, reshoring, and digital transformation, companies like Path Robotics are playing a critical role in redefining how industrial work is performed. By embedding intelligence directly into physical systems, Path’s technology enables factories to become more adaptable, efficient, and resilient.
The addition of two seasoned leaders to its board signals Path Robotics’ commitment to scaling responsibly while maintaining technological leadership. With growing demand for physical AI solutions and increasing recognition of the need for workforce-agnostic automation, Path is well positioned to help manufacturers overcome some of their most persistent challenges.
As Klein and Chatas take their seats on the board, Path Robotics moves forward with strengthened governance and strategic insight, reinforcing its mission to reshape manufacturing through intelligent automation and usher in the next generation of industrial productivity.
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