Frank Perna

Who is Frank Perna?

Mr. Perna assumed the role of chairman and CEO 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 three and a half years at MSC Software, 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, services and integrated systems 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. During his tenure at MagneTek, Mr. Perna managed the strategic growth of the company from $195 million to more than $1.5 billion in revenue. 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.

Mr. Perna 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.