Aras Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Aras has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, operations, finance, and engineering.

Driven by innovation, Aras is dedicated to providing a robust platform for engineering and manufacturing companies, focusing on support, maintenance, and upgrades to enhance product lifecycle management and operational efficiency.

Leadership Roles at Aras

  • Chief Executive Officer - Gabriela Barbarena
  • Principal Chief Executive Officer - Aras Ta k ran
  • Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Ali Gungor
  • Chief Financial Officer - William Porter
  • Chief Operating Officer - Sam Zawaideh
  • President - Jeanette Contreras
  • Chief Technology Officer - Rob McAveney
  • Chief Information Officer - Armen Meguerditchian
  • Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of - Aponceot Aponceot
  • Chief Executive - Alvaro Sainz
  • Gabriela Barbarena - Chief Executive Officer

    Gabriela Barbarena, the Chief Executive Officer at Aras, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Barbarena guides the enterprise through market shifts, ensuring the platform's continued relevance and growth in the engineering and manufacturing software sector. This leadership involves fostering innovation within the product development teams and aligning departmental objectives with the company's core mission of providing comprehensive support, maintenance, and upgrade solutions. Gabriela Barbarena's focus remains on expanding Aras's global footprint and solidifying its position as a leader in product lifecycle management. The Chief Executive Officer's role necessitates close collaboration with other C-suite executives to drive cohesive business strategies and achieve sustained financial performance. Overseeing all major business units, Barbarena ensures that Aras delivers exceptional value to its clients through its integrated platform.

    Aras Ta k ran - Principal Chief Executive Officer

    Aras Ta k ran, the Principal Chief Executive Officer at Aras, spearheads the company's long-term strategic planning and corporate governance. Ta k ran's leadership ensures the foundational integrity and future direction of the Aras platform, emphasizing its role in streamlining engineering and manufacturing processes. This executive guides the organization's expansion into new markets and technological frontiers, maintaining a keen focus on the core offerings of support, maintenance, and upgrades. Aras Ta k ran works closely with the executive team to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and client-centric development. The Principal Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities include overseeing major investment decisions and ensuring the company's operational resilience. By championing advanced solutions, Ta k ran drives the company's commitment to empowering businesses with efficient product lifecycle management tools.

    Ali Gungor - Deputy Chief Executive Officer

    Ali Gungor, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Aras, supports the Chief Executive Officer in executing the company's strategic initiatives and managing day-to-day operations. Gungor plays a critical part in translating high-level corporate objectives into actionable plans for various departments, ensuring seamless integration of support, maintenance, and upgrade services within the Aras platform. This role involves close coordination with technology and operations leaders to optimize service delivery and enhance client satisfaction across the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Ali Gungor's leadership focuses on operational efficiency and the effective deployment of resources to meet market demands. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer collaborates with the executive team to foster cross-functional synergy and drive sustainable business growth. By overseeing key operational workflows, Gungor ensures the consistent delivery of Aras's value proposition.

    William Porter - Chief Financial Officer

    William Porter, the Chief Financial Officer at Aras, oversees all financial aspects of the company, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Porter manages the financial health of Aras, ensuring strategic investments in its engineering and manufacturing platform, including support, maintenance, and upgrade services, align with fiscal responsibility. This role involves developing financial strategies to support growth, managing capital allocation, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. William Porter's expertise is vital in guiding the company's financial trajectory and maximizing shareholder value. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive team to drive profitability and operational efficiency across all business units. Porter's leadership ensures sound financial management, enabling Aras to pursue its objectives in the competitive software market.
    William Porter

    Sam Zawaideh - Chief Operating Officer

    Sam Zawaideh, the Chief Operating Officer at Aras, manages the company's daily operations and ensures the efficient delivery of its software platform and services. Zawaideh oversees the implementation of support, maintenance, and upgrade processes, optimizing workflows to enhance client satisfaction and operational scalability for engineering and manufacturing businesses. This role involves leading cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives, focusing on process improvement and resource allocation. Sam Zawaideh's operational leadership is key to maintaining the high standards of service that Aras provides. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates closely with technology and finance departments to ensure seamless integration and execution of business plans. By driving operational excellence, Zawaideh contributes significantly to the company's ability to meet market demands and support client success in product lifecycle management.
    Sam Zawaideh

    Jeanette Contreras - President

    Jeanette Contreras, the President at Aras, directs the company's strategic growth initiatives and oversees key business operations. Contreras focuses on expanding Aras's market presence and strengthening client relationships, ensuring the platform's comprehensive support, maintenance, and upgrade services meet the evolving needs of engineering and manufacturing industries. This leadership position involves driving sales and marketing efforts, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring operational alignment across departments. Jeanette Contreras's vision is critical for achieving sustained business expansion and market leadership. The President collaborates closely with the executive team to implement strategic plans and enhance the company's overall performance. Contreras's leadership ensures Aras continues to deliver exceptional value and innovation to its global customer base.

    Rob McAveney - Chief Technology Officer

    Rob McAveney, the Chief Technology Officer at Aras, architects the company's technological roadmap and oversees all aspects of platform development. McAveney drives innovation in Aras's software solutions, ensuring they effectively support the complex needs of engineering and manufacturing clients through robust maintenance and upgrade capabilities. This leadership position involves guiding the engineering teams in developing scalable, secure, and high-performance applications that enhance product lifecycle management. Rob McAveney's strategic vision ensures the platform remains at the forefront of technological advancement, anticipating future industry demands. The Chief Technology Officer collaborates with other executives to align technology strategy with business objectives, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement. McAveney's expertise is crucial in delivering cutting-edge solutions that provide significant value to Aras's global clientele.
    Rob McAveney

    Armen Meguerditchian - Chief Information Officer

    Armen Meguerditchian, the Chief Information Officer at Aras, directs the company's internal IT infrastructure and information security strategies. Meguerditchian ensures that Aras's technological systems effectively support its operations, including the development and delivery of its engineering and manufacturing platform, encompassing support, maintenance, and upgrades. This leadership position involves safeguarding sensitive data, optimizing IT resources, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance internal efficiency and collaboration. Armen Meguerditchian's focus is on maintaining a secure and reliable IT environment that empowers employees and supports business growth. The Chief Information Officer works with executive peers to align information technology initiatives with broader corporate goals, ensuring robust data management and system integrity. Meguerditchian's oversight is critical for the company's operational continuity and digital transformation efforts.

    Aponceot Aponceot - Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of

    Aponceot Aponceot, the Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of at Aras, leads advanced technology initiatives and directs the strategic technical direction for the company. Aponceot focuses on pioneering new technological approaches to enhance Aras's platform for engineering and manufacturing clients, particularly in areas of support, maintenance, and upgrades. This executive guides research and development efforts, ensuring the platform remains innovative and competitive in the global market. Aponceot Aponceot's role involves translating complex technical concepts into actionable strategies that drive product evolution and client value. The Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of collaborates with other technology leaders to foster a culture of innovation and technical excellence. Aponceot's deep technical insight is instrumental in shaping the future of Aras's software solutions.

    Alvaro Sainz - Chief Executive

    Alvaro Sainz, the Chief Executive at Aras, directs the company's overarching business strategy and market positioning. Sainz focuses on enhancing the Aras platform's capabilities in supporting, maintaining, and upgrading engineering and manufacturing processes for clients globally. This leadership role involves identifying new growth opportunities and strengthening client relationships to ensure sustained market leadership. Alvaro Sainz collaborates with the executive team to drive innovation and operational excellence across all business functions. The Chief Executive's mandate includes overseeing financial performance and ensuring the company's long-term viability and competitive edge. By championing the platform's unique value, Sainz guides Aras in empowering businesses with advanced product lifecycle management solutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Aras Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Aras?
    Aras is led by Gabriela Barbarena (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Aras Ta k ran (Principal Chief Executive Officer) and Ali Gungor (Deputy Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of Aras’s executive team?
    The executive team of Aras includes leaders such as Gabriela Barbarena (Chief Executive Officer), Aras Ta k ran (Principal Chief Executive Officer), Ali Gungor (Deputy Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Aras have?
    Aras has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Aras’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Aras includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Principal Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer.