Thursday, March 5, 2009

PTC places Harrison as chairman, promotes Heppelmann to president, COO

By Mass High Tech Staff

Product development software and services company Parametric Technology Corp. has named CEO C. Richard Harrison chairman of the Needham-based company’s board of directors.  Harrison will remain as chief executive officer and the company has named James Heppelmann to the roles of president and chief operating officer.

Noel Posternak, PTC’s previous chairman, will stay on the board and will serve as lead independent director. As president and COO of PTC (Nasdaq: PMTC), Heppelmann will assume responsibility for managing the operating business units of the company.
 
According to Harrison, the succession plan has been underway for some time, including the appointment of Heppelmann to the board of directors last year.
 
Heppelmann helped start Metaphase and served as the company’s CTO. After leaving Metaphase, he founded Windchill Technology, and came to PTC through that company’s acquisition. Heppelmann reached the level of executive vice president and chief technology officer at PTC, prior to his new positions.
 
Harrison joined PTC in 1987 as the vice president of sales distribution. He spent six years in the role of president and COO, assuming the role of CEO in 2000.

In December PTC bought the business assets of environmental regulatory compliance firm Synapsis Technology Inc., of Spring House, Pa., for an undisclosed amount.

PTC, founded in 1985, is one of New England’s leading tech companies, with nearly 4,900 employees and a $2.2 billion market capitalization.