FALL RIVER – Just months after UUV Aquabotix Ltd. appointed David Batista to take over the CEO role from founder Durval Tavares, it has announced that he has left the company and has been replaced with Whitney Million. Batista stepped away from his position on March 23.
Million will take over the company’s United States subsidiary, Aquabotix Technology Corp., as CEO and president as well. (The company went public in Australia, where its shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.)
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Tavaras had, at that time of Batista’s appointment as CEO, moved to chief technology officer. However, in the company’s most recent announcement, it noted that he also had left the company.
At the time of his shift to chief technology officer, Tavares had noted, “When I founded Aquabotix six years ago, my goal was to develop and build leading-class technology designed to change how we view the underwater world. I look forward to … working with David to bring several new innovations to market.”
In a recent LinkdIn post, Tavares said he left the company in March, noting “It was with mixed emotions that I left Aquabotix, but it was time for a new adventure,” but did not elaborate.

Million joins Aquabotix after nine years working for defense and security systems company BAE Systems Inc.
Tavares has been replaced as chief technology officer by Alexander Blyskun.
Peter James, the company’s chairman, stated, “David Batista made a substantial contribution to the company, and was integral to the board’s review of its business during the recent months. Since listing on the ASX approximately a year ago, Aquabotix has built the infrastructure to position the company for success in the nascent underwater drone industry. The company’s major focus is now on growth, especially in military markets around the world. It is the right time to transition the management focus accordingly, and Ms. Million and Mr. Blyskun bring demonstrable experience and connectivity in that space to the company.”