SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that Carl Bass, the company's chief operating officer, has been named president and chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2006. Bass also has been appointed to the company's expanded Board of Directors, effective immediately.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO )

Carol Bartz, who has served as CEO since April 1992, will become the company's first Executive Chairman of the Board.

"Carl Bass is one of the most respected executives in this industry and has played an integral leadership role in Autodesk's success," Bartz said. "He has a deep knowledge of the industry and the business as well as a keen understanding of our customers and the demands they face every day. As I assume my new duties as Executive Chairman, Carl's appointment as CEO represents a natural evolution of leadership at Autodesk."

As COO, Bass has had overall responsibility for sales, marketing and product development in Autodesk's core businesses: manufacturing, infrastructure, media and entertainment, building and wireless data services. Bass' commitment to Autodesk's customers spans his 10-year-long career with the company. Before serving as COO, he was senior executive vice president of the Design Solutions Group. He also served as chief strategy officer, chief technology officer and executive vice president of emerging business, looking broadly across the Autodesk organization at strategy and growth opportunities that have enabled the company to expand its portfolio of products and services, and enter new markets.

"It is through Carol's strong and decisive leadership that Autodesk secured its preeminent position in the market today," said Carl Bass. "As 3D technology is creating the next great transition in the industries we serve, Autodesk will continue to be at the forefront of providing technology that supports the ideas of the most innovative and creative customers around the globe, from manufacturing to building, infrastructure, and media and entertainment. I'm honored to be able to build on the legacy of Carol's tenure as CEO."

As Executive Chairman, Bartz will focus her energies on improving the business climate for Autodesk around the world, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India and Eastern Europe, as well as work to build even stronger relationships with Autodesk's key customers, partners and investors.

During her 14 years as CEO, Bartz guided Autodesk from its start as a small company to an established and well-diversified design software and services company. With approximately $1.5 billion in annual revenue, Autodesk is acknowledged as one of the best run companies in America. Today, Autodesk is the recognized leader in 3D technology and services. This month Autodesk was named one of America's best big companies, and one of the best-managed companies, by Forbes magazine. In addition, Fortune magazine named Autodesk one of the 100 best companies to work for and named Bartz to their 2005 list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business.

"Carol absolutely transformed Autodesk over the past 14 years, delivering tremendous value to shareholders, customers and employees alike. In her new role as Executive Chairman, we're confident she will continue to focus her considerable expertise and skills on helping Autodesk grow and prosper under Carl Bass," said J. Hallam Dawson, chairman of IDI Associates and longest standing member of Autodesk's board. "As CEO, Carl brings a passion for Autodesk that he has honed during his time as COO. As Autodesk undertakes this evolution of its management team, Carl has every tool necessary to continue executing the company's strategy and delivering results for customers, employees and shareholders."

Conference Call Detail

Autodesk will host a conference today at 6:00 a.m. PST for media and financial analysts. The live announcement may be accessed at 866-713-8567 or 617-597-5326 (passcode: 98007940). A replay of the call will be available at 8:00 a.m. PST on our website at www.autodesk.com/investors or by dialing 888-286-8010 or 617.801.6888 (passcode: 45974107). An audio webcast will also be available beginning at 6:00 a.m. PST at www.autodesk.com/investors. A replay of this webcast will be maintained on our website for at least twelve months.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With more than seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, digital media, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency, and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements contained in this press release that do not relate to historical facts may be viewed as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events, and/or the actual performance, financial condition or results of operations of Autodesk to be materially different from the actual events, and/or future performance, financial condition or results of operations, implied by such forward-looking statements. Further information regarding some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and such other documents that Company may file with the SEC from time to time.

NOTE: Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

MEDIA CONTACT
Autodesk: Tim O'Keeffe, 415-318-4166, okeeffet@fleishman.com

INVESTOR CONTACT
Autodesk: Sue Pirri, 415-507-6467, sue.pirri@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
01/17/2006
CONTACT: media, Tim O'Keeffe, +1-415-318-4166, or
okeeffet@fleishman.com, for Autodesk; or investors, Sue Pirri of Autodesk,
+1-415-507-6467, or sue.pirri@autodesk.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com
(ADSK)