Five Questions Friday with Dave Pancoast of SolidWorks

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Name: Dave Pancoast

Title: Training Manager

Company: Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

Hometown: Born in Rochester, NY. Lived in New England since 1975, most recently in Atkinson, NH since 1999.

1) Why did you choose to do the work you do?
I’ve always wanted to teach and I think I’m good at it. In 1980, I left public education where I taught drafting and engineering drawing to work at a CAD company (Computervision). I came to SolidWorks because I knew one of the founders, Scott Harris, from my Computervision days. I’ll always be grateful to Scott for giving me a call.

2) What is your proudest career moment?
Standing on the stage with Vic Leventhal [former SolidWorks Chief Operating Officer] at our VAR conference in July of 1996 and being introduced as “The Training Guy.” I still wish I had that printed on my business cards…

3) What goal do you have that inspires you most?
To travel and see the world. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” – St. Augustine

4) How has SolidWorks made a difference in your life?
It has provided me with endless intellectual challenges and stimulation, allowed me to meet and work with the best people on the planet, and enabled me to meet my material needs.

5) What do you to for fun, and what’s your favorite food?
For fun: travel, photography, hiking, camping, mountain biking, sea kayaking, and skiing. Favorite food: a really good steak.

Thanks to Dave for taking the time to talk. If there's anyone who you
think we should talk to, leave a comment and let me know.

Matthew West

SolidWorks alumnus. I like plate reverb, Rat pedals, Thai curry, New Weird fiction, my kids, Vespas, Jazzmasters, my wife & Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not necessarily in that order.