GET TO KNOW
Tony Hemmelgarn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Originally from: Born and raised in Ohio, US
Currently based: Metro Detroit area, Michigan, US
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton
Siemens tenure: I’ve spent my entire career in PLM Software with over 24 years of that time at Siemens Digital Industries Software.
Why Siemens: I don’t believe there are many more interesting places where you can work. We are in the innovation space – one day you’re helping to design a toothbrush with a customer, and the next you’re helping layout the design of an aircraft carrier. It’s so diverse and exciting the things we get to work with — you’re not pigeonholed into one area. Focusing on the products our customers make and helping them be more productive is interesting and exciting. I don’t know that there’s a better place for a young employee to build a career and really build their knowledge base and do it in a fun way. That’s an important part of any person’s motivation: not only am I paid well, am I respected – but I am having fun, and I am learning, I am making a difference in society, I think we do that better than anybody.
Culture of diversity: The interesting thing about the culture here at Siemens Digital Industries Software is the diversity we’ve created through our many acquisitions. Each year we continue to grow and I’m proud of the great culture that we continue to build.
Cloud foundations: I like to say I was doing Cloud before Cloud was cool. Early in my career, I worked for a small company, CADCAM Inc. in Dayton, Ohio. We provided timesharing on DEC VAX superminicomputers through phone line connections so our customers could have CAD systems without spending a fortune on the hardware. We managed the system, they paid for software as a service. In the end, isn’t that really what the Cloud is all about?
Simulating a leap of faith: I’m always inspired when I think about the Wright Brothers. They took a giant leap of faith, and I often wonder how that would have happened if they had our software tools. Instead of leaping off the edge of a cliff, we could have simulated it and eliminated the risk.
