Technology >> CEO Interviews >> March 11, 2004
FRANK PERNA assumed the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
MSC.Software in December 1998. His strategy is to accelerate revenue
growth and improve operating margins by expanding the portfolio of
products and services offered by MSC.Software and increasing penetration
into the MSC.Software customer base of more than 10,000 companies around
the world. Over the last four and a half years at MSC, his vision has
resulted in both internal and external growth and included the
completion of six acquisitions, key business partnerships with companies
like IBM and Dassault Systemes and the overall transformation of
MSC.Software from a CAE provider into a focused information technology
company. By providing software and services to companies in all world
markets, MSC.Software has become the catalyst in making product
lifecycle management efficiency a reality. Before assuming his current
responsibilities at MSC.Software, Mr. Perna served as Director on the
Boards of both MSC.Software and PDA Engineering Inc. (which was acquired
by MSC.Software in 1994). During the years 1994 through 1998, Mr. Perna
served as Chairman and CEO of EOS Corporation, a high technology
electronics manufacturer and also as Chairman of Software.com. From 1984
through 1993, Mr. Perna was President (and CEO from 1990) of MagneTek,
an international manufacturer of electrical equipment. Mr. Perna also
spent 17 years at General Motors in the area of engineering test and
computer simulation and has held senior management positions at
Whittaker Corporation, Bell & Howell and Sun Electric. He holds a
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, a
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University
and a Master's degree in Management from Massachusetts Institute of
Technology Sloan School of Management. He is also a member of the Board
of Trustees at Kettering University. Mr. Perna is a registered
Professional Engineer and currently serves as a Director of California
Amplifier Inc., a manufacturer of microwave products. Profile
and a picture of the things you're doing at the present time.
Mr. Perna: MSC.Software is a unique company. We've been
