Cisco Systems this week named Robert Lloyd its new executive vice president of worldwide operations, succeeding Richard Justice, who is stepping down from day-to-day duties due to an ongoing battle with prostate cancer.
According to a statement from the San Jose, Calif.-based networking giant, Justice will stay on as a part-time executive adviser to Chairman and CEO John Chambers.
"Over his 12-year tenure at Cisco, Rick Justice has made a tremendous impact on the business, contributing substantially to the company's growth and success, while serving as a trusted adviser, role model and exceptional leader," Chambers said in a statement. "Rick has been incredibly courageous throughout his now five-year battle with prostate cancer. I fully support Rick's decision to now put his health unequivocally first, and look forward to his role as a part-time adviser to the business."
Lloyd, who takes over his new role effective April 26, will report directly to Chambers and oversee Cisco's worldwide channels, worldwide sales, Internet business solutions group and strategic alliance development. Corporate development, which was previously in Justice's charge, will report to Chambers under the leadership of Senior Vice President Ned Hooper, Cisco said.
Lloyd has been a stalwart within Cisco, with more than 14 years of leadership in the company's largest geographies. Lloyd is currently senior vice president of U.S., Canada and Japan operations, which he grew from a $12.5 billion business to a $22 billion business in three years. Lloyd also co-chairs Cisco's Enterprise Business Council and has served as president of Cisco's Europe, Middle East and Africa region for nearly four years. Under Lloyd's guidance, the EMEA business jumped from 28 percent to 32 percent of Cisco's worldwide revenue.
"Rick and I have known that Rob has been ready to run the worldwide operations organization for some time, having successfully run the two largest geographies at Cisco," Chambers said. "Rob is an ideal successor for this role, with an exceptional track record of leading change and increasing productivity while driving innovation and growth both in the United States and internationally."
