By Mike Peery
I have a new job at Tecplot. Officially it is “Chairman of the Board.” Unofficially it is “Product Strategy Czar.”
During my 30 years as president of Tecplot, Inc., I’ve been surrounded by the finest people in the world; people who are top in their fields, talented, deeply motivated and, perhaps most important, have unusually high personal character and ethics.
These special people are why I stayed in this job so long.
Today, however, with the announcement that Rich Stillman, our COO, has been appointed to the position of President and CEO, my role is changing. I have known and worked closely with Rich for the last four years and have seen the gifts he brings to our company, especially the management team. I cannot imagine a better person to take over my position of CEO at Tecplot, Inc. Rich will help Tecplot, Inc. continue to grow and serve our customers, and at the same time allow me to focus my time on our products. This is good for you.
“So why the change?” you might ask. I suspect many may not care, nor should you. Tecplot exists to help you do your job better, faster, and smarter; you have come to trust and depend upon Tecplot, Inc., our products, services, and organization—not any particular person—to help you. Over the years we have tried to spread our knowledge, talents, skills, and experience around so no one person is indispensable, especially me. Tecplot is a strong and sustainable company; it can continue to prosper and serve its customers well, even when the people in the organization change.
There are two underlying reasons for this change, and they are truly good reasons. The primary driver for me, personally, is that I must be at home more to support my family in the care of my daughter, Jenny, who has Rett Syndrome. (I’d love it if you’d donate a few of dollars for Rett Syndrome research at this link in honor of Jenny Peery.) It is a particularly horrible disorder. Jenny needs 24×7 care and it is a lot of work. As you may know from your own personal experiences, a labor of love brings many blessings. I am so fortunate to have this new position, to continue to help make our cool products, AND be able to take care of my family as I know I must.
The second, and probably more important reason from a corporate standpoint, is that Tecplot, Inc. needs the right leadership to continue to grow into the future. I cannot do this alone; therefore, we are extremely fortunate to have Rich in the CEO position. Tecplot, Inc. is growing in all aspects. We have more people (about 50 employees and full-time contractors), more products, more organizational complexities, more customers and partners, and so forth, than ever before. The greatest value I can offer is to focus my attention upon our products and make them better for you.
So, “What is in it for you?” The answer is, “Tecplot , Inc. will continue to take care of you without a hitch. We will keep creating, improving, and delivering good products and services to you.”
I look forward to the wonderful and exciting things to come for Tecplot, Inc. and plan to be there all the way!