Tungsten Automation Appoints Peter Hantman as CEO, Strengthens Leadership Team with Robert Watson as CFO
In a strategic move to bolster its leadership and accelerate growth, Tungsten Automation Corporation (“Tungsten Automation” or “the Company”), a leading provider of AI-powered document and workflow automation solutions, has announced significant changes to its executive team. Effective July 1, 2025, Peter Hantman will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and join the Board of Directors, while Robert Watson will step into the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). These appointments come as part of a broader effort to drive innovation, scale operations, and solidify Tungsten Automation’s position in the rapidly evolving GenAI-enabled automation market.
Reynolds C. Bish, the outgoing CEO, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, where he will continue to support the company by focusing on strategic initiatives, acquisition efforts, and Board coordination. This leadership transition underscores Tungsten Automation’s commitment to fostering growth under a new generation of leadership, backed by the continued guidance of its experienced executives and investors.
A New Era of Leadership
Peter Hantman joined Tungsten Automation in November 2023 as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), quickly establishing himself as a driving force behind the company’s transformation. Under his leadership, Tungsten Automation successfully pivoted to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) recurring revenue model, positioning the company for sustained growth and scalability. In his new role as CEO, Hantman will oversee the executive management team, spearheading efforts to accelerate innovation, expand the company’s global footprint, and deliver exceptional value to customers, partners, employees, and shareholders.
“I’m honored to become Chief Executive Officer at such an important time in our customers’ transformation to GenAI-enabled document and workflow automation,” said Mr. Hantman. “Tungsten Automation has built a strong foundation of customer trust, partner collaboration, and dedicated employees at scale. I look forward to continuing to accelerate value creation for all stakeholders.”
Hantman brings over three decades of experience in scaling high-growth enterprise SaaS companies and driving business transformation. Before joining Tungsten Automation, he served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at e2open, a publicly listed supply chain SaaS company, where he led go-to-market functions and earlier served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for 13 years. His proven track record of operational excellence and strategic vision makes him an ideal leader to guide Tungsten Automation through its next phase of expansion.
Executive Chairman Role for Reynolds C. Bish
As Executive Chairman of the Board, Reynolds C. Bish will remain actively involved in shaping the company’s future. Having served as CEO for the past 17 years, Bish has been instrumental in building Tungsten Automation into a trusted provider of AI-powered solutions. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant milestones, including partnerships with major enterprises and the development of cutting-edge technologies that streamline document and workflow automation.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished during the last 17 years, and I have total confidence in Pete’s leadership going forward,” said Mr. Bish. “This transition positions Tungsten Automation for continued success as we focus on innovation, growth, and delivering value to our stakeholders.”
Bish’s new role will allow him to concentrate on strategic priorities, including mergers and acquisitions, while ensuring continuity and alignment between the Board and executive management.
Robert Watson Joins as CFO
Joining Tungsten Automation as CFO is Robert Watson, a seasoned financial leader with extensive experience managing global operations. Most recently, Watson served as interim CFO at Athenahealth, a software and services company. Prior to that, he held senior financial roles at Rackspace Technology and Cinemark, and spent over 16 years at Hewlett-Packard, where he honed his expertise in financial planning, analysis, and leadership.
“I’m excited to join Tungsten Automation at this pivotal moment in its growth journey,” said Mr. Watson. “The opportunity to contribute to a high-performing company and help scale operations globally is incredibly energizing.”
Watson’s appointment strengthens Tungsten Automation’s leadership team, bringing a wealth of financial acumen and operational insight to support the company’s ambitious growth plans.
Backing from Clearlake Capital and TA Associates
Tungsten Automation’s leadership transition has received strong support from its key investors, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Clearlake”) and TA Associates (“TA”). Both firms praised Hantman’s leadership and expressed confidence in the company’s ability to thrive under his direction.
Harry Taylor, Managing Director at TA Associates, stated, “Pete has demonstrated strong vision, leadership, and execution during his time as President and COO, and we’re confident he will build on Tungsten Automation’s position as an important technology provider in this rapidly growing market.”
Paul Huber, Partner & Managing Director at Clearlake, added, “We’ve been impressed by Peter’s strategic vision and operational excellence. Under his leadership, Tungsten Automation will be well-positioned to accelerate innovation, expand its global footprint, and deliver even greater value to customers and investors alike.”
A Vision for the Future
The appointments of Peter Hantman and Robert Watson signal Tungsten Automation’s readiness to capitalize on the transformative potential of AI and GenAI technologies. As businesses increasingly adopt automation solutions to enhance efficiency and drive innovation, Tungsten Automation is poised to lead the charge, offering scalable, intelligent tools that empower organizations to thrive in the digital age.
About Tungsten Automation:
Tungsten Automation is a provider of intelligent workflow automation solutions with a trusted legacy of 40 years, more than 2,200 employees in 32 countries and serving 25,000 global customers. Recognized by customers, partners and industry analysts as a leader in IDP, intelligent automation, and process orchestration, Tungsten helps businesses achieve transformative efficiency through AI-powered solutions.