As Cisco turns 25, CEO calls for community service from employees
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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Cisco Systems commemorated its launch 25 years ago on Dec. 10, and its 4,300 Triangle employees pitched in to raise money for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Chamber, addressing the networking gear giant’s global work force over Cisco’s TelePresence system and Cisco TV, called for the firm’s more than 63,000 workers in more than 200 offices worldwide to volunteer four hours of community service.
"I can think of no better way to mark Cisco's 25th year than focusing even more of our employees' talents and energy on community service," Chambers said. "Helping people connect and collaborate is not just core to our business - it is core to our values."
In the Triangle, Cisco spokesperson Kristin Weeks said employees were pitching in to help Cisco’s Global Hunger Relief Campaign.
Cisco opened its RTP campus in 1995. Its 4,300 member local work force includes employees and contractors.
Cisco was launched on Dec. 10, 1984, by Len Bosack and Sandy Lerner, who were computer scientists at Stanford University. They developed the cornerstone of Cisco’s success – a router for the distribution of e-mail across networks using multiple protocols.
Routers also were crucial in the growth of the Internet.
"In the coming quarter century, the role of the network will become even more important, driving growth, innovation, and productivity in industries such as healthcare, education and energy,” Chambers told employees. “Looking ahead, Cisco is positioned to lead the evolution of the network to enable a 'connected future' which is increasingly collaborative, video-driven, personalized, and mobile."
For a timeline of Cisco history, click here.
Cisco owns more than 7,000 patents.
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