PITTSBURGH — Dr. Byron Clayton, the CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, announced his resignation today, citing personal reasons. In an emailed statement, Brett Lambert, the newly elected chair of the ARM Board of Directors, said the board has approved a national search for a new CEO, which will begin shortly.

Dr. Byron Clayton, ARM CEO

Lambert said in the statement that Clayton “has given significant led time on this decision, so that the organization has time to implement a smooth and orderly CEO transition.” Clayton will remain in the CEO role through the transition, “as the organization continues to deliver on the committed programs and strategies.”

Brett Lambert, chair for ARM Board of Directors

During Clayton’s tenure, membership of ARM grew by approximately 70%, and more than 30 new DoD-funded projects were launched, the statement said. In addition, new membership services, such as the ARM Member Community, were introduced. He also guided the move into ARM’s permanent headquarters in Pittsburgh, where the development of robotic prototyping and demonstration capabilities for manufacturing are underway. The new facility provides an opportunity for collaboration and workforce education programs for members and the community. In partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and the Catalyst Connection (local MEP), ARM said it will “continue to expand its role as the nation’s leading collaborative accelerating transformative robotic technologies and education to increase U.S. global manufacturing competitiveness.”

Lambert said that activities and new opportunities to work with members and the robotics community will continue under the leadership of Clayton and the ARM senior management team, and that he would keep members updated on the recruitment of a new CEO.