Donald F. Ferguson

Last updated
Donald F. Ferguson
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Education Columbia University (BA, MS, PhD)
Occupation(s)Professor, businessman
Employer Columbia University
Known forCTO for software of Dell
TitleProfessor of Professional Practice in Computer Science

Donald Ferguson (born 1960) is a Technical Fellow and Chief SW Architect [1] at Ansys, Inc. Before joining Ansys, Ferguson was a Professor of Professional Practice in Computer Science at Columbia University. [2] Before joining Columbia in 2018, he was vice president and CTO for software at Dell. Previously he was CTO, Distinguished Engineer and Executive VP at CA, Inc., formerly known as Computer Associates.

Contents

Education

Ferguson graduated with a BA from Columbia University in 1982, a MS in 1984, and a PhD in computer science in 1989. [2] [3] His thesis studied the application of economic models to the management of system resources in distributed systems. [4]

Career

IBM

From 1985 to 2007, Ferguson worked for IBM, being appointed IBM Fellow in 2001, and chief architect for IBM's Software Group (SWG). He provided overall technical leadership for IBM WebSphere, Tivoli Software, IBM DB2, Rational Software and Lotus Software products. He also chaired the SWG Architecture Board (SWG AB). The SWG AB focused on product integration, cross-product initiatives and emerging technology. Some of the public focus areas were web services, patterns, web 2.0 and business-driven development. Ferguson guided IBM's strategy and architecture for SOA and web services, and co-authored many of the initial web-service specifications.

Previously, he had been the chief architect for WebSphere and the WebSphere products, which provide support for dynamic web applications. Prior to transferring to IBM SWG, Ferguson was a research staff member at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center.

Microsoft

From 2007 to 2008, he worked at Microsoft as a technical fellow in platforms and strategy in the office of the CTO. [5]

CA

Ferguson joined CA in March 2008. [6]

Dell

Ferguson joined Dell in June 2012 as VP and CTO for Dell Software. [7]

Awards

Ferguson received the 2013 Columbia School of Engineering and applied Science Alumni Association Egleston Medal for Distinguished Engineering Achievement. [8]

Ansys

Ferguson focuses on product integration, additional of new capabilities and strategic initiatives.

Books

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/in/fergusondonald/ [ self-published source ]
  2. 1 2 "Columbia Engineering Adds 13 New Faculty in 2018". Columbia University. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  3. ↑ "CCT Donors 2007-08". Columbia College Today. October 2008. Archived from the original on 2016-09-14. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Donald F. Ferguson joins department as Professor of Practice | Department of Computer Science, Columbia University". www.cs.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  5. ↑ Geelan, Jeremy (January 15, 2007). "Microsoft Snags Don Ferguson, Former IBM Chief Architect – "Father of WebSphere"". dotNet Journal.
  6. ↑ Ferguson, Donald (10 March 2008). "New Job".
  7. ↑ Ferguson, Donald. "Donal Ferguson". LinkedIn . Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  8. ↑ "CEAA to Honor Two Alumni with Egleston Medal" . Retrieved April 8, 2017.


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