CHICAGO, IL--(Nov 19, 2015) - The Edison Awards, recognized as the world’s leading innovation award, today announced that John Chambers, Executive Chairman of Cisco Systems, will be awarded the prestigious Edison Achievement Award on April 21, 2016 in New York. The distinction honors distinguished business executives who have made a significant and lasting contribution to innovation and human centered design throughout their careers and whose accomplishments serve as an inspiration to every industry and the world at large.
As a visionary in the technology world and an active contributor to corporate social responsibility initiatives worldwide, John Chambers’ tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Systems began at a time when only 10 percent of Americans used cell phones and internet use was only slightly higher. Under his direct leadership, Cisco became the world’s frontrunner in IT, growing from a $70 million company when Chambers joined in 1991 to a $47 billion company, and representing a revenue increase that topped 2,000 percent. Cisco was the most valuable company on the planet in March 2000. In 2006, Chambers was appointed Chairman of the Board, in addition to CEO, and served in both positions until 2015. Currently, Chambers continues his work to advance worldwide digitization as he serves as Executive Chairman.
"Thirty years ago, Cisco set out with the vision to change the way the world works, lives, plays and learns. The Edison Achievement Award, recognizes our positive contributions and how we are fostering innovation to truly change the world with our technology. I am extremely honored to be the 2016 recipient and it is a distinct privilege to be in the company of past recipients, who I consider some of the world's most creative and innovative leaders," John Chambers said.
“The Edison Awards is deeply honored to present John Chambers with the 2016 Edison Achievement Award,” said Frank Bonafilia, Executive Director of the Edison Awards. “His exceptional contributions to the world of technology have literally connected people all over the world in unprecedented ways. John's prescience, leadership and benevolence serve as a living acknowledgement and embodiment of Thomas Edison’s values and principles,” Bonafilia added.
A sample of past Edison Achievement Award winners include:
• Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer, Tesla and SpaceX
• Clayton Christensen, Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School
• Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Qualcomm Incorporated
• Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Inc.
• Susan Desmond-Hellmann, President, Product Development, Genentech
• Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford Motor Company
About the Edison Awards™
The Edison Awards is a program conducted by Edison Universe, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering future innovators. The Awards have been recognizing and honoring the best in innovations and innovators since 1987. For more information on the Edison Awards history and nomination process/visit www.edisonawards.com.
