Chief Executive Officer

Western Digital Corporation

David Goeckeler is Chief Executive Officer of Western Digital.

Prior to joining Western Digital, Goeckeler was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Cisco’s Networking and Security Business, a $34 billion global technology franchise. A 19-year Cisco veteran, he led a team of more than 25,000 engineers and oversaw Cisco’s networking and security strategy and market acceleration, including development operations for the company's expansive technology portfolio and strategic acquisitions. 

Previously, Goeckeler oversaw Cisco’s Security Business and was instrumental in defining Cisco’s threat-centric security strategy, transitioning the business to a software and recurring revenue-based model, and returning the business to share-gaining growth. Under his leadership, the Security Group also acquired and successfully integrated multiple companies, solidifying Cisco’s place as the largest IT Security vendor in the industry.

Goeckeler holds bachelor’s degrees in computer science and mathematics from the University of Missouri at Columbia, a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in business administration from both Columbia University and the University of California at Berkeley.

Goeckeler is widely recognized for his leadership and operational excellence. In 2012, he received Frost and Sullivan’s Excellence Award in Engineering Operations.