Aras Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Aras has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, marketing, information systems, finance, product development, and corporate leadership.

Focused on delivering robust engineering and manufacturing software solutions, Aras empowers global enterprises to manage complex product lifecycles through advanced maintenance, support, and scalable upgrade platforms.

Leadership Roles at Aras

  • Chief Executive Officer - Gabriela Barbarena
  • Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Ali Gungor
  • Chief Financial Officer - Will Porter
  • Chief Operating Officer - Sam Zawaideh
  • President - Jeanette Contreras
  • Chief Technology Officer - Rob McAveney
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Josh Epstein
  • Chief Information Officer - Armen Meguerditchian
  • Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of - Aponceot Aponceot
  • Vice President, Products - Vijay Raman
  • Gabriela Barbarena - Chief Executive Officer

    Gabriela Barbarena, the Chief Executive Officer at Aras, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the engineering software platform. Barbarena oversees the alignment of internal resources with the evolving needs of global manufacturing clients, ensuring the company maintains a competitive edge in product lifecycle management. By fostering collaboration across all departments, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence and sustainable growth. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the board to refine market positioning and expand the reach of the platform. Through rigorous analysis of industry trends, Gabriela Barbarena secures the future trajectory of the organization. The Chief Executive Officer prioritizes innovation and customer success, maintaining a focus on delivering high-value software solutions that simplify complex engineering workflows for large-scale industrial partners across international markets.

    Ali Gungor - Deputy Chief Executive Officer

    Ali Gungor, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Aras, executes critical administrative and strategic initiatives that support the primary leadership objectives. Gungor manages cross-functional projects that bridge the gap between engineering requirements and business outcomes, ensuring the platform remains responsive to manufacturing demands. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer monitors internal performance metrics to optimize organizational efficiency and resource allocation. By coordinating with various department heads, Ali Gungor facilitates seamless communication and project execution across the enterprise. This role requires a deep understanding of the software landscape to anticipate market shifts and adjust operational tactics accordingly. Through the implementation of streamlined processes, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer strengthens the foundation of the company. Gungor maintains a focus on operational stability, ensuring that the organization consistently meets the high standards expected by global engineering firms.

    Will Porter - Chief Financial Officer

    Will Porter, the Chief Financial Officer at Aras, directs the financial planning, reporting, and fiscal strategy for the engineering software platform. Porter oversees the management of capital resources, ensuring that the company maintains the financial health necessary to support ongoing product development and service delivery. The Chief Financial Officer monitors revenue streams and cost structures to optimize profitability and long-term sustainability. By providing data-driven insights to the executive team, Will Porter facilitates informed decision-making regarding investments and market expansion. This leadership role involves managing relationships with investors and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Through the rigorous oversight of the company's fiscal health, the Chief Financial Officer secures the resources required for innovation and growth. Porter focuses on financial discipline, ensuring that the organization remains well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the global manufacturing software market while delivering consistent value to stakeholders.
    Will Porter

    Sam Zawaideh - Chief Operating Officer

    Sam Zawaideh, the Chief Operating Officer at Aras, manages the day-to-day business activities and internal infrastructure required to support the engineering software platform. Zawaideh oversees the delivery of maintenance and upgrade services, ensuring that clients receive consistent value throughout the product lifecycle. The Chief Operating Officer directs the implementation of scalable processes that enhance service reliability and customer satisfaction. By optimizing internal workflows, Sam Zawaideh improves the speed and quality of software deployments across diverse manufacturing environments. This leadership role involves close coordination with technical teams to ensure that operational capabilities align with the company's strategic goals. Through the management of complex service delivery models, the Chief Operating Officer sustains the company's reputation for excellence. Zawaideh focuses on driving efficiency and operational agility, enabling the organization to scale effectively while meeting the rigorous demands of the global engineering sector.
    Sam Zawaideh

    Jeanette Contreras - President

    Jeanette Contreras, the President at Aras, directs the overall business operations and strategic execution for the engineering software platform. Contreras oversees the alignment of departmental goals with the company's mission to provide superior maintenance, support, and upgrade services to manufacturing enterprises. The President manages the organizational structure to ensure efficiency and accountability across all business units. By fostering a culture of excellence, Jeanette Contreras drives the company's performance in competitive global markets. This leadership role involves working closely with the executive team to refine business models and pursue growth opportunities. Through the implementation of strategic initiatives, the President strengthens the company's market position and enhances its service delivery capabilities. Contreras focuses on organizational health and long-term success, ensuring that the company remains a trusted partner for engineering firms worldwide by consistently delivering high-quality software solutions that meet the demands of modern manufacturing.

    Rob McAveney - Chief Technology Officer

    Rob McAveney, the Chief Technology Officer at Aras, architects the technical vision and product roadmap for the engineering software platform. McAveney oversees the development of advanced features that enable manufacturing companies to manage complex product data and lifecycle processes. The Chief Technology Officer directs the engineering teams in building robust, scalable, and secure software architectures that support long-term maintenance and upgrades. By evaluating emerging technologies, Rob McAveney ensures the platform remains at the forefront of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. This leadership role involves collaborating with product managers to translate market needs into innovative technical solutions. Through the continuous refinement of the software stack, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the overall user experience and system performance. McAveney drives technical excellence, ensuring that the company provides the necessary tools for clients to succeed in highly competitive global markets.
    Rob McAveney

    Josh Epstein - Chief Marketing Officer

    Josh Epstein, the Chief Marketing Officer at Aras, directs the global brand strategy and market outreach initiatives for the engineering software platform. Epstein oversees the development of messaging that highlights the value of the company's maintenance, support, and upgrade services to manufacturing leaders. The Chief Marketing Officer manages demand generation campaigns that target key decision-makers in the engineering sector. By analyzing market data and competitive positioning, Josh Epstein crafts narratives that differentiate the platform in a crowded software landscape. This leadership role involves aligning marketing efforts with sales objectives to drive revenue growth and expand the company's footprint. Through the execution of targeted digital strategies, the Chief Marketing Officer increases brand awareness and customer engagement. Epstein focuses on communicating the unique benefits of the platform, ensuring that the organization effectively reaches its target audience and maintains a strong presence in the global manufacturing market.
    Josh Epstein

    Armen Meguerditchian - Chief Information Officer

    Armen Meguerditchian, the Chief Information Officer at Aras, manages the internal information systems and digital infrastructure that support the company's operations. Meguerditchian oversees the security and integrity of data across the organization, ensuring that all systems remain compliant with industry standards. The Chief Information Officer directs the implementation of enterprise-grade software tools that facilitate collaboration and productivity among employees. By optimizing the company's IT environment, Armen Meguerditchian enables seamless access to critical information for both internal teams and external clients. This leadership role involves assessing new technologies to improve operational efficiency and data management capabilities. Through the maintenance of a robust digital backbone, the Chief Information Officer supports the company's ability to deliver high-quality engineering software services. Meguerditchian focuses on technological reliability, ensuring that the organization's internal systems are capable of supporting its ambitious growth objectives and complex service requirements.

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

    Aponceot Aponceot, the Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of at Aras, provides specialized technical guidance and strategic oversight for the company's core engineering platforms. Aponceot oversees the integration of advanced technical standards into the product development lifecycle, ensuring that the software meets the complex requirements of manufacturing clients. The Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of directs research initiatives that explore new methodologies for product lifecycle management. By bridging the gap between high-level technical strategy and practical implementation, Aponceot Aponceot ensures that the platform remains technologically superior. This leadership role involves mentoring technical teams and fostering a culture of innovation within the organization. Through the application of deep technical expertise, the Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of enhances the platform's capabilities and reliability. Aponceot focuses on long-term technical viability, ensuring that the company's solutions continue to address the evolving challenges of the global engineering industry.

    Vijay Raman - Vice President, Products

    Vijay Raman, the Vice President, Products at Aras, directs the product management strategy and development lifecycle for the engineering software platform. Raman oversees the definition of product features that address the specific needs of manufacturing companies, from initial design to maintenance and upgrades. The Vice President, Products manages the roadmap for the platform, ensuring that new releases align with market demands and technological advancements. By coordinating with engineering and marketing teams, Vijay Raman ensures that product launches are successful and meet customer expectations. This leadership role involves gathering user feedback and translating it into actionable product improvements. Through the continuous evolution of the platform, the Vice President, Products enhances the value proposition for global clients. Raman focuses on product innovation, ensuring that the company provides the most effective tools for managing complex engineering processes and maintaining a competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Engineering Software

    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 Ali Gungor (Deputy Chief Executive Officer) and Will Porter (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Aras’s executive team?
    The executive team of Aras includes leaders such as Gabriela Barbarena (Chief Executive Officer), Ali Gungor (Deputy Chief Executive Officer), Will Porter (Chief Financial 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, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President.