CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
27 June 2013
Company News
PTC CEO Jim Heppelmann Recognized As a Leading Advocate for STEM Education
PTC today announced that its president and CEO Jim Heppelmann has been named a leader among corporate executives advocating for an increased focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the U.S. education system and elsewhere. The honor comes from STEMconnector, who profiled 100 U.S. CEOs who have been actively advancing STEM education throughout their careers, industries, and companies. The publication was presented at the US News STEM Solutions Summit in Austin, TX.
The selection process included researching over 300 CEOs to collect material in three aspects: 1) the CEO’s background and career; 2) the company’s STEM position within the industry; and 3) the company’s specific items and lines of action around STEM.
“This is great recognition for Mr. Heppelmann and PTC’s work around STEM awareness and education,” said Linda Noonan, executive director, Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE). “PTC’s Engineer of the Future program as well as its support for the work we do at MBAE to bring about improvements in all schools across the state are a great and appropriate way to ensure more students are prepared for STEM-based careers.”
“America was built on innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Jim Heppelmann, president and CEO, PTC. “If we want this country to continue to lead in the 21st century, there’s nothing more important than getting students passionate about careers in science, technology, engineering and math. It’s an honor to be recognized among those who understand this urgency and are promoting STEM education and career paths within their organizations.”
STEMconnector CEO Edie Fraser stated, “It is all about CEO commitment. We are collectively humbled by the caliber of the entries and salute and congratulate all of those included. We urge all readers to review and discuss what you learn understanding the collective action we must all take to ensure America’s youth and workforce are equipped with the STEM skills needed to compete in the market economy.”
Mr. Heppelmann is a strong believer in the corporate social responsibility approach known as Shared Value, where corporations contribute to their communities through vehicles that in return elevate the corporation’s value, in effect producing value for both the community and the corporate shareholders. PTC’s shared value program, “The Engineer of the Future,” is designed to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through programs like FIRST and the Real World Design Challenge®. Through these programs, students gain strong career-related experience and skills, PTC’s customers benefit as these students pursue STEM educations and enter the workforce as qualified employees, and PTC builds important relationships with potential future users of its technologies. Mr. Heppelmann is a member of the FIRST Executive Advisory Board and promotes STEM education in his discussions with leaders of academia, industry and government. Mr. Heppelmann is also a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering.
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