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Cisco Data Center Exec Ullal Departs

Jayshree Ullal, who has headed Cisco's Data Center 3.0 initiative, has left the company to "pursue new professional opportunities."

Jayshree Ullal, who has headed Cisco's Data Center 3.0 initiative, has left the company to "pursue new professional opportunities," the company said late Friday. Ullal, the senior vice president of Data Center, Switching and Services Group (DSSG), announced her departure Friday on the Cisco Data Center blog:

With mixed feelings and much introspection I have come to my decision to leave Cisco after 15 great and memorable years. My loyalty and affection to Cisco, CEO John Chambers and my teams made this a very difficult and lengthy decision process. It has been my privilege to lead this team and I have full faith in our future driving Cisco's vision for transforming the data center ... As for the inevitable question of what I plan to do next, I hope to re-kindle passions for my "next new gig" this summer and make an informed decision later this year.

John McCool will assume leadership of Cisco's DSSG group, reporting directly to CEO John Chambers, and will also fill Ullal's position on Cisco's Development Council.


Ullal, 47, joined Cisco with the acquisition of Crescendo Communications Inc. in 1993.

"Jayshree has been at Cisco for 15 years and has made many lasting contributions to the company," said Elizabeth McNichols, Cisco's Director of Corporate Communications. "She has held numerous senior and strategic roles at Cisco and pioneered Cisco's entry into many new markets, including Ethernet switching, unified communications, high-end routing, optical, security and data center innovation. Jayshree's contributions to the networking industry and the respect she garners across the organization ensures that she will always remain part of the extended Cisco family."