John Chambers is president and CEO of Cisco Systems, the
worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Since January 1995, when he
assumed this position, Chambers has grown the company from $1.2 billion in
annual revenues to its current run-rate of approximately $18.9 billion. In the
last year alone, Cisco saved more than $2.1 billion due to productivity
increases from Internet business solutions and gained more market share than
all of its competitors combined.
Chambers has been lauded by government leaders and
countless publications worldwide for his visionary strategy, his ability to
drive an entrepreneurial culture, and his warm-hearted, straight-talking
approach. Widely recognized for his evangelistic style, Chambers is considered
one of the most innovative and dynamic leaders in global business today.
Chambers currently serves as Vice Chairman of the President
George Bush National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). On this
committee, Chambers provides industry experience and leadership to help
protect the critical infrastructure of the United States. He was appointed to
this position by President Bush in November 2002.
In April, John was awarded the Distinguished Industry
Leader Award from the IEEE. This past year the Sunday Times, U.K.,
rated Cisco the number 14 best place to work. John was also awarded the "My
Boss is a Patriot" award and the "Above and Beyond" award by the Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for Cisco's exemplary treatment of
employees deployed to military service. Fortune magazine also rated
Cisco in the top 100 best places to work.
In 2002, the National Investor Relations Institute, in
conjunction with Barrons and Investor Relations magazines,
recognized Chambers with their prestigious "Best Investor Relations by a CEO"
award. Also in 2002, Chambers accepted the "Hall of Fame" award from Channel
Reseller News for his success in helping channel partners build sustainable
business models and Cisco was named the number one best employer in Australia.
In April, Chambers was awarded the "Spirit of Achievement Award" by the
National Center for Learning Disabilities. He also received the Outstanding
Achiever's Award from the Lab School of Washington in November 2001. In June
of that year, Chambers was presented with the American Society for Training
and Development award for Champion of Workplace Learning and Performance.
Chambers was given the award for his advocacy, commitment, and actions that
affirm the value of workplace learning and performance.
Chambers was selected to serve on President George W.
Bush's transition team as a member of his Education Committee in December
2000. In this role, he shared his expertise with the new administration and
provided guidance on a broad range of policy matters related to education. In
November 2000, Upside Magazine ranked Chambers as number six on the
list of high-tech's top 100 high rollers for 1999.
Chambers joined Cisco in 1991 as senior vice president,
Worldwide Sales and Operations. Prior to joining Cisco, Chambers spent eight
years at Wang Laboratories and six years with IBM. Chambers holds a law degree
and a bachelor of science/bachelor of arts degree in business from West
Virginia University. He later received a masters of business administration
degree in finance and management from Indiana University. He is married and
has two adult children.
