Photronics Announces Executive Officer Appointments
Rhea-AI Summary
Photronics (Nasdaq: PLAB) announced executive officer appointments effective January 12, 2026. Eric Rivera was appointed President while remaining Chief Financial Officer and the company’s principal financial officer; he previously served as Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller. Rui (Elie) Zhang was named Chief Accounting Officer and principal accounting officer and will continue as Corporate Controller; she has served as Controller since 2024. Todd Alesio was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and will remain Head of Global Human Resources. Management said the moves aim to enhance organizational clarity and reinforce accountability.
Positive
- Eric Rivera named President while retaining CFO role (effective 1/12/2026)
- Rui (Elie) Zhang promoted to Chief Accounting Officer and principal accounting officer (effective 1/12/2026)
- Todd Alesio appointed SVP & Chief Administrative Officer and remains Head of Global HR (effective 1/12/2026)
- Company states changes aim to enhance organizational clarity and reinforce accountability
Negative
- Role concentration: President also continues as principal financial officer, increasing executive responsibility
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, PLAB declined 0.92%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 7 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $17M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.85B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Sector peers show generally positive moves (e.g., UCTT +4.62%, VECO +3.58%), but only one peer (ICHR +7.51%) appears in the momentum scanner and sector momentum is not flagged as a coordinated move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08 | Sales leadership hire | Positive | -8.8% | Appointed SVP Global Sales to drive and unify global sales strategy. |
| Jan 07 | Board appointment | Positive | -1.0% | Added independent director to support long-term strategic execution. |
| Jan 06 | Conference participation | Positive | +5.5% | Announced presentation at Needham Growth Conference and investor webcast. |
| Jan 02 | CTO transition | Neutral | -0.1% | Planned CTO leadership transition after long tenure with possible advisory role. |
| Dec 10 | Earnings results | Positive | +45.4% | Reported FY 2025 results and Q1 2026 guidance with strong price reaction. |
Recent news has mostly been positive (earnings beat, leadership additions), yet management-related announcements sometimes coincided with short-term share weakness, while the earnings release drew a strong positive reaction.
Over the past months, Photronics reported full-year fiscal 2025 results on Dec 10, 2025, with revenue of $849.3 million and a strong +45.39% next-day move, marking a key financial milestone. Early Jan 2026 has focused on leadership and visibility: a CTO transition, a conference appearance on Jan 14, 2026, and multiple senior and board appointments. Today’s executive officer appointments continue this management-refresh theme while maintaining continuity in finance and accounting roles.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement formalizes several executive appointments, including naming Eric Rivera as President while he continues as CFO and principal financial officer, and elevating Rui (Elie) Zhang to Chief Accounting Officer. It follows a series of recent leadership changes and board additions, suggesting continued refinement of the management structure under the same CEO. With shares trading above the 200-day MA of $22.39, investors may watch how this leadership configuration supports execution and governance in upcoming quarters.
Key Terms
photomask technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
BROOKFIELD, Conn., Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Photronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLAB), a worldwide leader in photomask technologies and solutions, today announced certain executive officer appointments.
Effective January 12, 2026, Eric Rivera was appointed President of Photronics. Mr. Rivera will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, a position he has held since May 2024, and will remain the Company’s principal financial officer. Mr. Rivera previously served as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer beginning in 2020 and as Corporate Controller from 2020 to 2024.
Effective January 12, 2026, Rui (Elie) Zhang was appointed Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Zhang will serve as the Company’s principal accounting officer and will continue to serve as Corporate Controller. Ms. Zhang has served as Controller since 2024 and previously served as Assistant Controller.
Also effective January 12, 2026, Todd Alesio was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Alesio joined Photronics in November 2024 and will continue to serve as Head of Global Human Resources.
“These appointments are intended to enhance organizational clarity and support effective execution under my continued leadership,” said George Macricostas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Photronics. “They are consistent with our existing management approach and are designed to reinforce accountability across key functions.”
About Photronics
Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of integrated circuit (IC) and flat panel display (FPD) photomasks. High precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits, photomasks are a key element in the IC and FPD manufacturing process. Founded in 1969, Photronics has been a trusted photomask supplier for over 56 years. The company operates 11 strategically located manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Additional information can be accessed at www.photronics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” regarding our industry, our strategic position, and our financial and operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially. Please refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025 and other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results.
For Further Information:
Ted Moreau
VP, Investor Relations
469.395.8175
tmoreau@photronics.com
FAQ
Who was appointed President of Photronics (PLAB) on January 12, 2026?
What new role did Rui (Elie) Zhang receive at Photronics (PLAB) on January 12, 2026?
What position did Todd Alesio take at Photronics (PLAB) effective January 12, 2026?
How does Photronics (PLAB) describe the purpose of its January 12, 2026 executive appointments?
Will Eric Rivera remain the principal financial officer after his appointment as President of Photronics (PLAB)?
