Aras Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Aras has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, technology, operations, information systems, technical direction, and organizational leadership.

Focused on advancing engineering and manufacturing software, Aras delivers robust platforms for product lifecycle management while ensuring seamless maintenance and upgrades for global industrial enterprises.

Leadership Roles at Aras

  • Chief Executive Officer - Gabriela Barbarena
  • Chief Operating Officer - Sam Zawaideh
  • President - Jeanette Contreras
  • President - Octave Zongo
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Josh Epstein
  • Chief Technology Officer - Rob McAveney
  • Chief Information Officer - Armen Meguerditchian
  • Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of - Aponceot Aponceot
  • 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 product development with the complex needs of global manufacturing clients, ensuring the platform remains a critical asset for industrial digital transformation. By fostering collaboration across all departments, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence and market expansion. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to secure sustainable growth and maintain the competitive edge of the company within the software engineering sector. Through rigorous oversight of resource allocation and strategic partnerships, Gabriela Barbarena ensures the organization meets the evolving demands of modern manufacturing. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health and technological relevance of the firm, positioning the business as a leader in the engineering software landscape.

    Sam Zawaideh - Chief Operating Officer

    Sam Zawaideh, the Chief Operating Officer at Aras, directs the internal business processes and operational efficiency for the engineering software platform. Zawaideh oversees the execution of daily operations, ensuring that the company maintains high standards for service delivery, maintenance, and software upgrades. By optimizing workflows across departments, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the organization remains agile and responsive to the needs of manufacturing clients. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to streamline project delivery and improve overall productivity. Through the implementation of robust operational frameworks, Sam Zawaideh directly impacts the scalability and profitability of the business. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer secures the operational stability of the firm, ensuring that all internal systems support the strategic goals and long-term growth objectives of the company within the global manufacturing software market.
    Sam Zawaideh

    Jeanette Contreras - President

    Jeanette Contreras, the President at Aras, directs the commercial growth and regional market expansion for the engineering software platform. Contreras oversees the strategic development of business units focused on customer success, ensuring that manufacturing clients receive optimal support, maintenance, and upgrade services. By managing the commercial teams, the President ensures that the company achieves its revenue targets while maintaining high levels of client satisfaction. This leadership role involves coordinating with other C-suite executives to align commercial activities with the overall corporate mission. Through the oversight of market-facing operations, Jeanette Contreras directly impacts the competitive positioning of the firm. Ultimately, the President secures the long-term commercial viability of the organization, driving growth across diverse geographic regions and ensuring that the platform remains the preferred choice for engineering and manufacturing companies seeking reliable software solutions.

    Octave Zongo - President

    Octave Zongo, the President at Aras, directs the strategic partnerships and ecosystem development for the engineering software platform. Zongo oversees the cultivation of alliances with industry leaders and service providers, ensuring that the platform integrates seamlessly with the broader manufacturing technology landscape. By managing these external relationships, the President facilitates the delivery of comprehensive maintenance and upgrade solutions to global clients. This leadership role involves identifying new market opportunities and expanding the reach of the platform through collaborative ventures. Through the oversight of ecosystem growth, Octave Zongo directly impacts the value proposition of the company. Ultimately, the President secures the strategic influence of the firm, ensuring that the organization remains a central hub for engineering innovation and that all partnerships contribute to the overall mission of supporting the complex needs of the manufacturing industry.

    Josh Epstein - Chief Marketing Officer

    Josh Epstein, the Chief Marketing Officer at Aras, architects the global brand strategy and demand generation initiatives for the engineering software platform. Epstein oversees the communication of value propositions to manufacturing enterprises, ensuring market penetration across diverse industrial sectors. By analyzing market trends and customer feedback, the Chief Marketing Officer refines the messaging to highlight the benefits of the platform, including maintenance and upgrade capabilities. This leadership role involves close coordination with the sales and product teams to synchronize go-to-market efforts and maximize lead conversion. Through the implementation of data-driven marketing campaigns, Josh Epstein directly impacts the growth trajectory of the company. Ultimately, the Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the market position of the organization, ensuring that the brand remains synonymous with innovation and reliability in the competitive engineering software space.
    Josh Epstein

    Rob McAveney - Chief Technology Officer

    Rob McAveney, the Chief Technology Officer at Aras, directs the technical roadmap and product innovation for the engineering software platform. McAveney oversees the development of scalable architecture that supports complex manufacturing processes, ensuring the platform provides seamless maintenance and upgrades for global users. By managing the engineering teams, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the delivery of high-performance software solutions that address the specific needs of the manufacturing industry. This leadership role involves evaluating emerging technologies and integrating them into the existing product suite to maintain technical superiority. Through the oversight of software lifecycle management, Rob McAveney directly impacts the efficiency and reliability of the platform. Ultimately, the Chief Technology Officer secures the technological future of the company, driving continuous improvement and innovation across the entire product portfolio to meet the rigorous demands of modern engineering environments.
    Rob McAveney

    Armen Meguerditchian - Chief Information Officer

    Armen Meguerditchian, the Chief Information Officer at Aras, directs the information technology infrastructure and data security protocols for the engineering software platform. Meguerditchian oversees the management of internal systems that support the development, maintenance, and upgrade services provided to manufacturing clients. By ensuring the integrity and availability of critical data, the Chief Information Officer supports the operational continuity of the entire organization. This leadership role involves implementing advanced cybersecurity measures and cloud-based solutions to protect intellectual property and client information. Through the strategic oversight of IT resources, Armen Meguerditchian directly impacts the efficiency and security of the company. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer secures the digital foundation of the firm, ensuring that all technological assets are aligned with the mission of providing reliable and secure software solutions to the global engineering and manufacturing community.

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

    Aponceot Aponceot, the Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of at Aras, directs specialized technical initiatives and research within the office of the CTO. Aponceot oversees the exploration of advanced engineering methodologies that enhance the platform capabilities, specifically focusing on the maintenance and upgrade cycles for manufacturing software. By providing technical guidance to development teams, the Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of ensures that the company remains at the forefront of engineering innovation. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between high-level technical strategy and practical implementation. Through the oversight of complex technical projects, Aponceot Aponceot directly impacts the quality and functionality of the software offerings. Ultimately, the Technical Director & Chief Technology Officer, Office of secures the technical excellence of the firm, driving the development of cutting-edge features that address the evolving challenges of 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 Sam Zawaideh (Chief Operating Officer) and Jeanette Contreras (President).
    Who is part of Aras’s executive team?
    The executive team of Aras includes leaders such as Gabriela Barbarena (Chief Executive Officer), Sam Zawaideh (Chief Operating Officer), Jeanette Contreras (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Aras have?
    Aras has 8 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, Chief Operating Officer, President, President, Chief Marketing Officer.