Five Questions Friday with John Ellsworth of SolidWorks

Name: John Ellsworth

Title: Sr. Product Manager, Online Data Management Products

Job description: I am responsible for defining product requirements, articulating market needs, ensuring cross-functional readiness and a successful launch of my products. I am currently managing SolidWorks n!Fuze.

Company: DS SolidWorksCorp.

Hometown: Ashland, Mass.

1. Why do you choose to do the work you do? How did you find yourself in this career?
I’ve been in software my entire career, and have been in product management for most of that time. I find the work to be extremely rewarding! There is really nothing better than bringing products to market that make a real difference to the customers that use them. And since product management is such a central role, I get to work with really all of the functions responsible for delivering the product successfully. It’s a great spot to be, and a fun role!

2. What is your proudest career moment?
Being recognized by a former CEO for excellence in leadership through teamwork.

3.What goal of yours inspires you most?
So many goals! Personally: To raise my children to be healthy and happy people. Professionally: To deliver great products, and add value every day.

4.How has SolidWorks made a difference in your life?
So far I’ve really enjoyed my time here at SolidWorks, and am enjoying the opportunity to refresh some product management skills that I haven’t had occasion to use at my last two companies, which were much smaller–things like press briefing skills. SolidWorks World reminded me of how great customer events like that are, too–my last was three years ago, and it was much smaller. It was an incredibly energizing week for me there!

5.What do you do for fun? 
I’m a cyclist, and love it! It keeps me in shape, gives me an outlet for tinkering and fabricating solutions to problems, and can be a real rush. It also gives me blogging content.