Software AG picks new North American CEO

Paul Orne-Smith takes over with a focus on government, life sciences and growth.

Software AG has promoted Paul Orme-Smith to CEO of North America for its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary in Reston, Va., and also named him a member of the Group Executive Board.

Orme-Smith’s priorities will include the creation of a new federal unit to secure more business with the U.S. government sector and the development of a new national sales team focused on the life sciences industry to build on recent successes with Software AG’s supply chain solutions.

This move reflects the importance of North American operations to Software AG as the company increases its investments in the USA, a Feb. 28 company announcement said.

Among the key initiatives is the expansion of Software AG’s presence and customer base on the West Coast. As part of this effort, the company is relocating elements of its research and development, product marketing and merger and acquisitions functions from its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, to the West Coast.

Orme-Smith most recently was president for North America sales and before that he served as senior vice president of sales responsible for the field sales force for customers throughout the United States.

Software AG, a worldwide provider of business processing applications, has more than 5,400 employees serving 10,000 enterprise and public institution customers in 70 countries.