James E. Heppelmann (born September 4, 1964) [1] is an American engineer and businessman. He is the chief executive officer (CEO) of PTC (software company) (formerly Parametric Technology) a multinational software company he joined in January of 1998 as Senior Vice President Windchill, Parametric Technology Corp.
Heppelmann grew up in rural Minnesota on a small dairy farm with his seven siblings. At school, he liked math and science. He received an introduction to mechanical engineering by repairing and maintaining the farm’s mechanical machinery. An older sister's success in engineering inspired his interest in engineering[2].
While programming Apple 2e computers in his high school’s lab during his senior year Heppelmann recognized the significance computing would have on the future. When he entered the University of Minnesota he decided to specialize in how to use computers and software to solve mechanical engineering problems because of this experience[2]. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1987 from the University of Minnesota[3].
Heppelmann joined PTC in 1998 when PTC acquired Windchill Technology, Inc., a product life cycle management (PLM) software company that he co-founded in 1996[4].
Since taking the helm as CEO, Heppelmann is known for integrating the internet of things (IoT) and augmented reality (AR) into the company's business strategy[5]. He forged alliances with Microsoft to accelerate customer adoption of IoT and AR [6] and Rockwell that included a $1 Billion investment [7]
Heppelmann also oversees the PTC's legacy businesses, CREO, the mechanical computer-aided design CAD software system and Windchill PLM. Most recently, he led PTC to acquire Onshape, a computer-aided design (CAD) software system, delivered over the Internet as a Software as a Service (SaaS) [8] to provide customers with a path to SaaS CAD cloud services.
After advancing through the management ranks, Heppelmann was appointed PTC's President and CEO in October, 2010 PTC[9]. His roles leading up to becoming CEO include:
Prior to Windchill Technologies, he was the Chief Technology Officer of Metaphase, a Control Data spin-off, now part of Siemens AG. [10]
Boards of Directors
Outside Leadership Activities
Named one of the Top 25 Enterprise IT Innovators Of 2019 by CRN Magazine[15].
Named CXO of the Year IoT Global Awards 2018[16].
Named to the CEO Forums 2018 list of 10 CEOS who are transforming business through technology for his translational work in AR[17].
Named to the Top 100 Executives Of 2018 list by CRN Magazine[18].
Named #15 on NextReality’s 50 People to Watch in Augmented & Mixed Reality[19].
Named CEO of the Year by MassTLC[20].
Heppelmann co-authored with Harvard Business School Professor Michael E. Porter three articles on the transformational business impact of Internet of Things (IoT) on business for the Harvard Business Review.
The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Biography:James_Heppelmann