# Tom Wagner

> Tom Wagner is the founder of Berkshire Grey, an AI and robotics company for fulfillment and logistics, and its former CEO. Previously iRobot’s CTO, a DARPA program manager and a university professor, he has built a career around practical applications of intelligent systems. He announced Berkshire Grey’s CEO succession in February 2025 as founder and chairman.

- **Role:** Founder and Chairman; former CEO at Berkshire Grey (title used in the February 2025 company announcement)
- **Organizations:** Berkshire Grey, iRobot, DARPA, Honeywell, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- **Education:** Ph.D., artificial intelligence and computer science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, M.S., University of New Hampshire, B.S., Michigan State University
- **Known for:** Founded Berkshire Grey in 2013., Served as iRobot CTO from 2008 to 2012., Received UMass CICS’s 2016 Outstanding Achievement in Technology Development Award.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2008** — Held roles at the University of Maine, Honeywell and DARPA; also worked at General Motors and small companies.
- **2000** — Completed his Ph.D. at UMass Amherst.
- **2008-2012** — Chief Technology Officer at iRobot.
- **2013** — Founded Berkshire Grey.
- **2016** — Received the CICS Outstanding Achievement in Technology Development Award.
- **2018** — Berkshire Grey emerged from stealth.
- **2021** — Led Berkshire Grey through its public listing via a SPAC merger; trading began July 22.
- **2023** — Berkshire Grey became a wholly owned SoftBank subsidiary in July.
- **2024** — Served as an executive in residence at Northwestern’s Querrey InQbation Lab.
- **2025** — Welcomed Dave Paratore as CEO in February, signing as Founder and Chairman, Former CEO.

## Achievements

- Founded Berkshire Grey in 2013.
- Served as iRobot CTO from 2008 to 2012.
- Received UMass CICS’s 2016 Outstanding Achievement in Technology Development Award.
- Led Berkshire Grey during its 2021 public listing and 2023 acquisition by SoftBank.

## Latest updates

- **2025-02** — Announced Dave Paratore’s arrival as Berkshire Grey CEO; Wagner signed as founder and chairman, former CEO.
- **2024-05** — Northwestern published an account of his three-day executive residency and conversations with students and faculty.

## Links

- Website: https://www.drtomwagner.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtomwagner

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tom-wagner
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16