The top North Carolina executive for Cisco, which is one of the largest high-tech employers in Research Triangle Park with some 5,000 workers and contractors, held a teleconference with employees on Thursday to discuss the controversial House Bill 2.

Ed Paradise, vice president of engineering and the RTP site executive, invited employees to participate as he spelled out the tech giant’s position on the controversial law that critics see as discriminating against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual community.

Asked about the teleconference, a Cisco spokeswoman told WRAL TechWire that the company is “extremely disappointed and concerned” about HB2. However, she declined to disclose any information about what was said in the teleconference.

“Cisco believes everyone deserves to be welcomed, valued, respected and heard,” she said. “Cisco provided North Carolina employees with a forum to discuss the North Carolina legislation and share top of mind questions and perspectives in an informal, open environment.”

Earlier Thursday, Paradise participated in the 2016 State of the Research Triangle Region event put on by the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, where diversity and inclusiveness were stressed as strengths of the area. House Bill 2 was not mentioned by name, but several executives spoke out against the law in interviews with WTW following the event.

“Many of you have heard and have been following the recent developments of the North Carolina House Bill 2. Now, we would like to hear from you,” Paradise wrote in an email ahead of the Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) internal discussion. A copy was obtained by WTW.

“Bring your perspectives and questions. We recognize that not every employee will have the same position on HB2. In the spirit of the People Deal and inclusion, we want to give you an opportunity to be heard and help shape future strategies for Cisco.”

The spokeswoman spelled out Cisco’s position on the bill:

“We are against discrimination of any kind and are extremely disappointed and concerned with the enactment of HB2 in North Carolina. We favor laws that encourage open and effective collaboration, not those that seek to gain by dividing instead of uniting all people.”

Paradise is one of the most active high-tech executives in the Triangle, serving on numerous boards. He has served as site executive since 2011. He also held that role from 2002 to 2009. Paradise has worked with Cisco since 1993.

Cisco is one of numerous high-tech companies with operations in North Carolina to take a public stand critical of House Bill 2.