Former FIRST President Don Bossi to Serve as Organization’s Interim CEO

Chris Moore Steps Down as CEO; FIRST Board to Launch National Search for Permanent Successor

MANCHESTER, N.H., September 25, 2026 – FIRST^®, the world’s leading youth robotics community, announced that former FIRST President and current Board of Directors Vice Chair Don Bossi will return to the organization as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective today. Bossi’s appointment follows the departure of CEO Chris Moore, who has stepped down following five years of FIRST leadership. The Board thanks him for his leadership, dedication, and contributions to the organization and the FIRST community.

“We are grateful to Chris Moore for his leadership, contributions, and commitment to the FIRST mission during his tenure as CEO. We wish him success in his next chapter.” said Laurie Leshin, Chair of the FIRST Board of Directors. “We are pleased Don Bossi has agreed to lead the organization during this important transition. Don brings a deep understanding of our organization, our mission, and our community, as well as the experience and steady leadership to help guide FIRST forward. He will be supported by a strong and experienced Executive Leadership Team that remains focused on our mission and the young people, educators, volunteers, partners, and communities we serve. The Board is confident that Don and the entire FIRST team will provide continuity and momentum as FIRST continues delivering life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world.”

“Serving as CEO of FIRST has been a great privilege,” said Moore. “I joined FIRST because I believed deeply in its ability to inspire young people to see possibilities in themselves that they may never have imagined. I continue to believe that today. FIRST is an extraordinary community of employees, volunteers, educators, partners, sponsors, and young people around the world and I am proud to have been part of it.”

Bossi previously served as FIRST President from 2013 to 2019, a period during which the organization more than doubled in size and expanded its reach and impact around the world. He currently serves as General Partner of Technology Venture Partners and Vice Chair of the FIRST Board of Directors.

Prior to joining FIRST, Bossi held senior leadership roles across the technology sector, including serving as CEO of Inlet Technologies and Aegis Lightwave and as president of JDS Uniphase, where he was responsible for more than $1 billion in revenue and thousands of employees. Earlier in his career, he was a research scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and United Technologies.

“I’m honored to step into the role of Interim CEO and support FIRST during this period of transition. Having previously served as president and continued to stay closely connected to the organization as a Board member, I know firsthand the strength of our team, the importance of our mission, and the commitment of our community. I look forward to working alongside our staff, Board, and partners to maintain momentum and remain focused on the people and communities we serve.”

The FIRST Board of Directors will immediately launch a national search for the organization’s next permanent CEO. During the search, Bossi will work closely with the Board and Executive Leadership Team to ensure continuity across FIRST programs, operations, and partnerships.

About FIRST^®

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.

An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact  on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.