PITTSBURGH, PA, August 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Leonid V. Agafonov has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Agafonov has established himself as an expert in the field of robotics, demonstrating a remarkable trajectory of professional growth and technical achievement. In his current role as a technical program manager at Carnegie Robotics LLC, which he has held since 2022, he manages multiple programs focused on unmanned ground robotics, specifically in the off-road autonomy space. His responsibilities include overseeing cross-functional teams, daily communications, coordinating meetings, and ensuring the progress of vehicle builds for the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense contractors. He also collaborates closely with engineering and build teams to resolve technical challenges, works with systems and electrical engineers to address design and supply chain issues, and ensures that his team remains unblocked both technically and financially.

Affiliated with Carnegie Robotics LLC since 2018, Mr. Agafonov was acquired as a field operations manager and field testing manager, roles he upheld until 2021. During this period, he directed comprehensive field-testing initiatives and managed operational logistics for advanced robotics projects.

Mr. Agafonov also served as the head of field operations at Thoro.ai, a software-first robotics company, from 2021 to 2022. His earlier experience included serving as a field engineer at Best Medical between 2016 and 2018. Additionally, Mr. Agafonov excelled as the lead operations engineer and field engineer at Breen Energy Solutions from 2016 to 2017, as a qualified and diversified engineer and field service engineer at Gyrodata Incorporated between 2012 and 2016, and as a water transfer supervisor at Southpointe Energy Services from 2011 to 2012.
A graduate of West Mifflin Area High School in West Mifflin in 2009, and holds a Marcellus Shale Roustabout Training Certificate from the Community College of Allegheny County.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Agafonov has demonstrated civic commitment, namely through service as a junior firefighter with West Mifflin Volunteer Fire Department Number Two and as a firefighter with Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Company.

Among Mr. Agafonov's most notable achievements was the development of the Stallion program, an unmanned ground vehicle built on a Polaris RZR platform. This initiative began approximately two years ago when he and his team conceptualized the idea during a dinner meeting. After presenting their vision to the Lucid Ship team and receiving approval, they successfully built five units of this innovative vehicle. The Stallion program has since been recognized as a transformative advancement in off-road technology. Mr. Agafonov is currently preparing to release the next generation of this program, further solidifying his influence within the industry.

Throughout his career, Mr. Agafonov has attributed much of his success to the unwavering encouragement of his wife, who has constantly inspired him to reach for greater heights. He has greatly benefitted from the mentorship of Dr. John Bares, the CEO of Carnegie Robotics LLC, whose guidance in embracing risk, pushing beyond perceived limits, and balancing fast-paced efforts with high-quality results has profoundly influenced Mr. Agafonov's professional journey. He also acknowledges that the support and dedication of his past and current team members, colleagues, and collaborators have been vital in raising the bar; none of his achievements would have been possible without them.

Looking ahead, Mr. Agafonov aspires to join the leadership team, where he envisions actively contributing to the shaping and development of innovative products, impactful projects, and a vibrant company culture. With a keen focus on enhancing field robotics, he aims to drive advancements in this sector across a broad spectrum, ranging from commercial applications to defense-related initiatives. His commitment lies in fostering collaboration and creativity, ensuring that the technologies developed not only meet current demands but also anticipate future challenges, ultimately paving the way for groundbreaking solutions in the robotics landscape.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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