Perna grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York.[1] She graduated with a degree in mathematics from SUNY Oneonta in 1970,[2] and started teaching mathematics.[1] In 1974 she moved to California and got a job at IBM as a programmer. She worked first in San Jose, and then moved to IBM's Santa Teresa Laboratory. She later moved to the data management division, and then the information management group.[3][1] Projects she worked on included preparing the IBM Db2 for public release,[4] and encouraging IBM's 2001 purchase of the database company Informix Corporation.[5][6] Perna was recognized as an industry leader for her contributions to IBM's data management business. She played a crucial role in expanding IBM's data management into new, lucrative areas and setting industry standards.[3] By 2001, she was the most senior female executive at IBM.[7][8]
After 31 years at IBM, she retired in 2006.[3][9][10]
In 2018, SUNY Oneota re-named a building the "Janet R. Perna Science Building".[12]
In addition to these honors, Perna has been recognized for her leadership in database management at IBM. She was named one of the "Top 50 Women to Watch" by Women in Technology International and received the "Leadership Award" from Computerworld. Additionally, eWeek listed her in their "Top 100 Most Influential People in IT". Her contributions were pivotal in IBM's acquisition of Informix Corporation, further cementing her legacy in the tech industry.[7]
↑ Desmond, John (August 1993). "'That lady in Toronto' pushing IBM's DB2/6000". Software Magazine; Newton. Vol.13, no.12. p.96.
↑ Rogers, Amy (November 12, 2001). "Janet Perna, general manager, IBM Data Management Software". CRN: The Newsweekly for Builders of Technology Solutions; Westborough. No.971. p.126.
↑ Brown, Erika (October 15, 2001). Out of the blue. Forbes [New York, N.Y.: Forbes Inc.] pp.98–99.
1 2 Rghunathan, Anuradha (August 12, 2001). "From teacher to techie". The Times Herald-Record. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
↑ Richardson, Denise (21 May 2012). "IBM exec urges grads to seek their 'life's passion' and 'nurture personal relationships'". McClatchy – Tribune Business News; Washington.
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