In an announcement surprising only by its timing, Autodesk today said that Carl Bass, the company’s chief operating officer, has been named president and chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2006. Bass also has been appointed to the company’s expanded Board of Directors, effective immediately. Carol Bartz, who has served as CEO since April 1992, will become the company’s first Executive Chairman of the Board.
For the last two years or so, Autodesk watchers have almost universally agreed that Bass would succeed Bartz at the helm of the CAD industry’s largest player. The only question was when it would happen. A major milestone in the company's history, hitting $1 billion in sales, occurred in the company's 2005 fiscal year (Feb. 2004-January 2005).
“Carl Bass is one of the most respected executives in this industry and has played an integral leadership role in Autodesk’s success,” Bartz said in the company announcement. “He has a deep knowledge of the industry and the business as well as a keen understanding of our customers and the demands they face every day. As I assume my new duties as Executive Chairman, Carl’s appointment as CEO represents a natural evolution of leadership at Autodesk.”
In a 6 a.m. (Pacific Time) conference call today, Bartz cited mostly personal reasons for the timing of the transition. She said her daughter will be off to college in the fall, and she wants to be more involved in that transitional phase of her life. Bartz also said she is looking forward to getting her golf handicap into the low 20’s. Regarding the succession, Bartz said Bass is “just ready.” She said the Autodesk board of directors “took its duty of succession more seriously than most boards in the corporate world” with direct input, review and monitoring.
Bass came to Autodesk in 1993 with the acquisition of Ithaca Software, the developers of HOOPS graphics display technology; Bass was a co-founder. As Autodesk COO, Bass has had overall responsibility for sales, marketing and product development in Autodesk’s core businesses: manufacturing, infrastructure, media and entertainment, building and wireless data services. Before serving as COO, he was senior executive vice president of the Design Solutions Group. He also served as chief strategy officer, chief technology officer and executive vice president of emerging business, obviously being groomed for the top spot over the years.
For the past two years, Autodesk has waged an energetic and successful public relations campaign promoting its growth and success largely using Bartz as the public face of that success. In its email bulletin on the transition this morning, Forbes Magazine said, "Big pumps to fill as Bartz ranked among Forbes' Most Powerful Women list." Bartz has given a variety of interviews in leading business publications and met with civic and political leaders in emerging markets. Bartz has been a member of President George W. Bush’s Information Technology Advisory Council since before he was president. There has been some speculation Bartz would accept an appointment in the Bush administration if she left the CEO position during Bush’s term of office.
As Autodesk Executive Chairman, Bartz will focus her energies on improving the business climate for Autodesk around the world, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India and Eastern Europe, as well as work to build even stronger relationships with Autodesk’s key customers, partners and investors.
“Carol absolutely transformed Autodesk over the past 14 years, delivering tremendous value to shareholders, customers and employees alike. In her new role as Executive Chairman, we’re confident she will continue to focus her considerable expertise and skills on helping Autodesk grow and prosper under Carl Bass,” said J. Hallam Dawson, chairman of IDI Associates and longest standing member of Autodesk’s board. “As CEO, Carl brings a passion for Autodesk that he has honed during his time as COO. As Autodesk undertakes this evolution of its management team, Carl has every tool necessary to continue executing the company’s strategy and delivering results for customers, employees and shareholders.”
--RSN