SAN JOSE, Calif., April 3, 2000 - Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced the departure of Judith Estrin, Chief Technology Officer and the promotion of Michelangelo Volpi to Chief Strategy Officer. In his new role, Volpi will assume many of the responsibilities of the CTO including leading the adoption of new technologies into Cisco's overall business strategy. Volpi will also continue to lead Cisco's business development efforts. Estrin will depart Cisco April 28 to pursue her fourth entrepreneurial effort.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Volpi will oversee the evaluation of Cisco's forward looking technology efforts as well as oversee Cisco's legal and government affairs. In addition, Volpi will continue to lead Cisco's business development and strategic alliance organization accelerating Cisco's time to market and driving Cisco's strategy of growing through partnerships.
For the past several years, Volpi has been directly responsible for Cisco's acquisition and investment strategy. He has been involved with 54 of Cisco's 55 acquisitions and has created a best-in-class acquisition integration organization. In June of 1999, Volpi assumed responsibility for Cisco's strategic alliance team and has been instrumental in driving Cisco into new and emerging markets.
As CTO, Estrin has played a key role in developing Cisco's New World data, voice and video strategy. She has improved the architectural focus across the company's many development groups helping communicate and share technology across organizations. Estrin will return to her entrepreneurial roots and launch a new technology company this spring with her husband and business partner, Bill Carrico.
"As Cisco's Chief Technology Officer for two years, Judy Estrin has made many contributions to Cisco's software strategy in terms of development, management and acquisitions," said John Chambers, president and CEO of Cisco Systems. "We are extremely sorry to see Judy leave, but her track record as an entrepreneur speaks for itself. We look forward to a close working relationship with Judy and we wish her future success."
Estrin joined Cisco two years ago when Cisco acquired Precept Software a leading multimedia networking software company, which she co-founded. Previously, she was president and CEO of Network Computing Devices (NCD), and a cofounder of Bridge which merged with 3Com in 1987
