Doug Sharratt
1958 ~ 2008

It is with deep sadness and regret that we inform you of the death of our President, leader and friend Douglas Sharratt. Doug lost his life Wednesday morning, July 16, in a plane crash in Sunriver, Oregon. He was the only person on board the plane.

Our deepest condolences belong to his family, his wife Becky, his 6 children, his parents and his sister.

Doug was more than a manager or a boss to all of us at ProSoft Technology. He was an icon everyone loved. His employees work not only for a company but for the man behind the company, Doug Sharratt.

Doug started ProSoft Technology in his garage 20 years ago and built it into the multi-million dollar firm it is today. Even though the company had grown from a one-man operation to over 100 employees and 15 offices around the world, the spirit of the company still reflected Doug's passion for "making work fun" as he used to say.

Many people had questioned Doug over the years as to why he kept his corporate offices in Bakersfield, California. He would always reply that he couldn't think of a better place to raise his kids. Family came first with Doug and he encouraged that same lifestyle in everyone he knew. He considered his co-workers part of his extended family. Only three weeks ago we had a surprise 50th birthday party for Doug where we celebrated his achievements and honored his personal and business success.

Doug's loss will be felt in the multitude of lives he touched during his brief time here. His wife, his children, his friends, his co-workers and the entire automation industry will miss not only a business partner but a long time friend. He was a pioneer in the field of automation and over the years he gathered around him people of like mind and spirit. He instilled a passion in everyone he came into contact with. That passion will live on at ProSoft Technology.

In accordance with Doug Sharratt's succession plan and effective immediately, the current Chief Financial Officer for ProSoft Technology, Gary Joke, has assumed his new position as the President and CEO for the company. ProSoft's current management team is unanimously supportive of Gary's new role and look forward to working with him on the strategic plans and growth strategy already set into motion for ProSoft.

For further media related information, please contact Andreas Somogyi, Managing Director Global Marketing for ProSoft Technology.

There will be a memorial service on July 31st at 10:00am at St. Francis Catholic Church, 900 H Street, Bakersfield, CA, 93301.

Courtesy of Prosoft