Protolabs Appoints Marc Kermisch as Chief Technology and AI Officer to Drive Next-Generation Digital Manufacturing!

Protolabs, a global leader in digital manufacturing, has announced the appointment of Marc Kermisch as its new Chief Technology and AI Officer, effective October 13, 2025. Kermisch will lead the company’s global technology and artificial intelligence initiatives, succeeding Oleg Ryaboy, who departs after three years of dedicated service.

Announcing the appointment, Suresh Krishna, President and CEO of Protolabs, expressed gratitude to Ryaboy for his leadership and highlighted the company’s forward-looking strategy. “As we look towards the future, technological advancement is firmly at the core of our manufacturing innovation and the catalyst for our long-term strategic vision of complete prototyping-to-production support for our customers. Marc’s experience leading technology, R&D, and AI teams at several global companies positions him well to lead this exciting next chapter of digital manufacturing at Protolabs.”

With more than 25 years of experience driving innovation across manufacturing, software, and retail industries, Kermisch brings a wealth of expertise in leading digital transformation and R&D operations. Before joining Protolabs, he served as Chief Technology Officer at Emergent Software, where he led initiatives in software development, cloud transformation, AI, and data engineering. Prior to that, he was the Global Chief Digital and Information Officer at Case New Holland (CNH), a $20 billion agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer. At CNH, Kermisch played a pivotal role in developing autonomous vehicles, precision farming systems, and electric powertrain technologies—key innovations that defined the company’s shift toward smarter and more sustainable operations.

Throughout his career, Kermisch has held senior leadership positions at Optum Rx, Bluestem Brands, and Red Wing Shoe Company, contributing to their digital and operational transformation journeys. Beyond his executive roles, he also serves on the Board of Directors at American AgCredit and Crew Carwash, demonstrating his deep engagement with business strategy and technology-driven growth.

Speaking about his new role, Marc Kermisch shared his enthusiasm for shaping the future of digital manufacturing at Protolabs. “Protolabs’ tech-driven approach is at the forefront of the current manufacturing space. From intuitive online quoting to advanced machine automation to accelerated quality control processes, there’s a digital thread infused throughout the company’s entire manufacturing process,” he said. “The opportunity to expand that digital foundation through innovation in software and AI tools is very intriguing to me. AI has the capability to transform every business process, and I am excited to further integrate this cutting-edge technology across the digital manufacturing landscape at Protolabs.”

As Protolabs continues to strengthen its leadership in the global digital manufacturing ecosystem, Kermisch’s appointment underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging AI, automation, and data-driven intelligence to enhance speed, precision, and scalability in production. With his extensive background in digital innovation, Kermisch is expected to play a vital role in accelerating Protolabs’ transformation journey—bridging the gap between rapid prototyping and scalable production through the power of advanced technologies.