Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) alumnus and an expert in software industry, Ajei Gopal has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a US firm, ANSYS that produces engineering simulation software used for testing product designs across a wide spectrum of industries including rockets and wearable technology.

The 54-year-old Ajei Gopal set to become the CEO pf Pennsylvania-based ANSYS from January 1 next year. Gopal, who has 25 years of experience in technology industry and who has also served as a board member of ANSYS board since 2011, has also been appointed as Chief Operating Officer as well as the president of the company from the immediate effect and will continue to serve on the Board.

His colleague James Cashman, who served as ANSYS’s CEO since 2000, will become the chairman of the Board of directors from January 2017.

Gopal has the experience of the interim president and COO of Symantec, a California-based technology company. He was also the senior vice president and general manager at Hewlett-Packard from 2011 and has also worked at IBM from 1991 to 2000.

James Cashman said, “I have no doubt that his outstanding leadership, unique perspective and appreciation for ANSYS' culture, people and organization make him the right choice to serve as our next leader during this exciting time.”

Gopal said, “ I am committed to building on our standard of excellence and pushing the boundaries of innovation to help customers solve their most complex design challenges.”

Gopal have 23 US patents on his name and has a doctorate in computer science from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree from the IIT-B. He started his career as a technical staff member at Bell Communications Research.

By Prajakt K.