8-K: Skkynet Appoints Industry Veteran Gary Tillery as CEO

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. announces the appointment of Gary Tillery, an industrial software veteran, as its new Chief Executive Officer to drive strategic growth and market expansion into Industrial AI.

Summary

• Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. appointed Mr. Gary Tillery as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 8, 2025.
• Mr. Tillery has served as a Director of the Board since his appointment on June 18, 2025.
• He brings over 35 years of executive experience in digital transformation, industrial software, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions.
• Prior to joining Skkynet, Mr. Tillery served as Senior Director of Strategic Portfolio Partners and M&A at AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software and a subsidiary of Schneider Electric.
• His appointment is intended to accelerate Skkynet's expansion into the Industry 4.0 and Industrial AI markets.
• Paul Thomas will continue in his role as President, focusing on product vision and core technology development.

Sentiment

Score: 8

Explanation: The appointment of a highly experienced industry veteran as CEO, with a clear strategic focus on high-growth markets like Industrial AI and Industry 4.0, is a strong positive signal for the company's future direction and potential for growth.

Positives

• Appointment of Gary Tillery, an industry veteran with over 35 years of executive experience in industrial software, digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and M&A, as CEO.
• Mr. Tillery's background at AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, suggests strong leadership and strategic capabilities.
• The company is strategically focusing on high-growth Industry 4.0 and Industrial AI markets, aligning with current industry trends.
• Paul Thomas will continue as President, ensuring continuity in product vision and core technology development while the new CEO focuses on strategic growth.

Risks

• Forward-looking statements, including expectations regarding future financial performance, subscription growth, product launches, and overall business performance and outlook, are based on current assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
• Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet's most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and other periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Future Outlook

The company expects to accelerate its expansion into the Industry 4.0 and Industrial AI markets, strengthen relationships with key channel partners, and drive the adoption of its secure-by-design data connectivity solutions in high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure.

Management Comments

• "We are delighted to appoint Gary Tillery as CEO at this exciting juncture in our company's history. Since joining the Board, Gary has demonstrated a profound understanding of our market potential and the operational discipline required to scale a global technology company. His track record of driving growth through strategic alliances and M&A makes him the ideal leader to guide Skkynet through its next phase of innovation and commercial success." Xavier Mesrobian, Chairman of the Board.
• "I am excited to take on the role of CEO at Skkynet. The industrial landscape is undergoing a massive transformation driven by AI and cloud adoption, and Skkynet's data intelligence platform is uniquely positioned to solve the complex connectivity and security challenges that come with this shift. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Skkynet and our partner community to deliver exceptional value to our customers and shareholders." Gary Tillery, CEO.

Industry Context

The appointment of Gary Tillery aligns with the broader industry trend of digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and the increasing adoption of AI and cloud technologies in industrial sectors. Skkynet aims to capitalize on this shift by providing secure, real-time data connectivity, a critical component for these advancements. Tillery's background at AVEVA, a major player in industrial software, positions Skkynet to better navigate and compete in this evolving landscape.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The appointment of a seasoned executive from a major industrial software company like AVEVA (a subsidiary of Schneider Electric) is a common strategy for companies looking to scale and enter new high-growth markets such as Industrial AI and Industry 4.0.
• This move reflects a broader industry trend where companies are bringing in leadership with deep domain expertise to drive innovation and market penetration in specialized technology areas.

Management Changes

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential for increased shareholder value through strategic growth, market expansion, and enhanced leadership.
• Employees: New leadership may bring changes in strategic direction and operational focus, potentially creating new opportunities or shifts in roles.
• Customers: Expect enhanced product offerings and solutions, particularly in secure, real-time data connectivity for industrial systems, aligning with Industry 4.0 and Industrial AI trends.
• Partners: Strengthening relationships with key channel partners is a stated focus, suggesting potential for increased collaboration and business opportunities.

Next Steps

• Expand Skkynet's global footprint.
• Strengthen relationships with key channel partners.
• Drive adoption of secure-by-design data connectivity solutions in manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
• Continue product vision and core technology development under Paul Thomas.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The appointment of Gary Tillery, a highly experienced executive from a leading industrial software company (AVEVA), as CEO is a significant positive development. His expertise in digital transformation, M&A, and strategic partnerships, coupled with a clear mandate to expand into high-growth Industrial AI and Industry 4.0 markets, positions Skkynet for substantial strategic growth. This leadership change, while retaining the previous President for product vision, signals a strong commitment to innovation and market penetration, making the stock an attractive "strong buy" for long-term investors.

Keywords

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Gary Tillery, CEO appointment, Industrial AI, Industry 4.0, real-time data, industrial software, digital transformation, AVEVA, Schneider Electric, corporate governance, management change