Bill Weyand ’66 (left) describes himself as a mediocre student, but by senior year, something clicked. Listening to a series of CEO lectures, Weyand noticed the executives had an ability to put complex business strategy into simple terms and to lead companies to better positions. He told himself “I can do that,” and he has… three times.
entire organization. Today, 125 Atlas employees service over 3,000 customers.
B
ill Weyand resembles more of a diplomat or statesman than the canny executive who has ridden the notoriously steep technology bell curve and come out ahead. In technology, says Weyand, “Nothing is ever status quo. In business today, you constantly have to reinvent yourself in order to capitalize on new markets and bring new value to the marketplace. You can be king one year and toast the next!” Weyand’s early career is a lesson in determination. He rose quickly at
Measurex, which was acquired by Honeywell Corporation in 1997 at the height of its business cycle. He served as CEO and president of Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC) from 1997–2001. In SDRC, Weyand inherited a company and an entire industry facing a major slump, and nothing short of a transformation was required if the software giant was to survive. Weyand proceeded to capitalize on the company’s lead in product data management, the merger of mechanical design automation tools with information and data management. He hired nearly 1,000 employees, set (and
met) tough sales targets and consistently beat financial analysts’ expectations. Wall Street took notice as SDRC’s revenues climbed from $250 million in 1997 to $480 million in 2001. In 2001, EDS bought SDRC for over $1 billion in cash. It was the largest software takeover transaction of that year. In 2005, Weyand became CEO of MSC Software Corporation, based in Santa Ana, Calif. The company is the worldwide industry leader in virtual product development solutions—simulation software and services that help companies save time and reduce costs associated
SU S PMRM I NE G R 2005 6 O NICHOLS COLLEGE MAGAZINE
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