New York, Aug 31 (IANS): Indian American Ajei Gopal has been named CEO of US-based software firm ANSYS that produces engineering simulation software used for testing product designs across a wide spectrum of industries, including rockets and wearable technology.

Gopal, 54, is an IIT-Bombay alumnus and has been in the software industry for 25 years. He has served as interim president and COO at Symantec and was senior vice president and general manager at Hewlett-Packard.

The technology industry veteran who has served as a member of the ANSYS Board since 2011, has been appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer of the company with immediate effect and will continue to serve on the Board.
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"Having Gopal on board is a huge win for ANSYS. He has extensive management and business development experience at large software and technology companies. He has held leadership roles at companies including Symantec, Hewlett-Packard and I"M," said the company in a statement"

"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 mentioned in a statement.

Gopal will become the CEO with effect from January 1 next year while James Cashman, who has served as ANSYS' Chief Executive Officer since 2000, will become Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective from January 2017.

Headquartered in Pennsylvania, ANSYS has more than 75 strategic sales locations throughout the world with a network of channel partners in over 40 countries.