Key Facts
Career & Education
About
David Goeckeler is an American technology executive serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Systems, Inc. since November 2023 and August 2021, respectively. He succeeded Chuck Robbins as CEO and has been instrumental in steering the company's focus on networking, security, and cloud technologies. Prior to his CEO role, Goeckeler led Cisco's Networking and Security business as Executive Vice President and General Manager from 2017 to 2021, overseeing significant growth in these areas. His leadership at Cisco builds on a long career in the tech industry, marked by expertise in software-defined networking, cybersecurity, and enterprise solutions.
Goeckeler's professional journey began at AT&T Bell Labs, where he contributed to early innovations in telecommunications and networking technologies. He joined Cisco in 2000, rising through various senior roles in product development and engineering until 2013. After leaving Cisco, he served as Chief Technology Officer at Flexera Software and later became CEO of AppDynamics in 2016, a performance management company that Cisco acquired for $3.7 billion in 2017, bringing Goeckeler back to the fold. Under his guidance, AppDynamics expanded its application intelligence platform, which has become integral to Cisco's portfolio.
Known for his strategic vision in integrating hardware and software in enterprise IT, Goeckeler has been recognized for driving Cisco's transformation into a leader in hybrid cloud and secure access services. He holds advanced degrees in electrical engineering and continues to influence the tech sector through Cisco's global operations and partnerships.