Chambers was born on August 23, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio to John Tuner "Jack" and June Chambers.[4] His mother was a psychiatrist and his father was anobstetrician.[5] The family resided inKanawha City, Charleston.[6]
When Chambers was nine years old, he was diagnosed withdyslexia.[7][8] Aided by a therapist, Chambers learned to cope with his disability.[6]
After obtaining his MBA, Chambers began his career in technology sales atIBM 1976–1983 when he was 27 years old. At 34 years old, in 1983, Chambers joinedWang Laboratories, later becoming Vice President of US Operations in 1987. During Chambers' time at the company, Wang's profits declined dramatically from $2 billion 1989 to a $700 million loss in 1990. A year later, Chambers left Wang to join Cisco, which had gone public on February 16, 1990.[12]
In 1995 Chambers became CEO of Cisco, a position he held until 2015. He had also been promoted to board chairman in 2006.[13] During his tenure as CEO, the company's annual sales grew from $1.9 billion[14] to $49.2 billion.[15] On July 27, 2015,Chuck Robbins replaced Chambers as CEO of Cisco Systems.[16] Following his tenure as CEO, Chambers remained on the board until 2017, when he retired from the company. In October 2016, he was reported to own over 1.7 million Cisco shares worth approximately US$54 million.[17] He holds the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus but holds no authority within the company.[18]
Since 2010, Chambers has also served as a commissioner for theBroadband Commission for Digital Development, which leverages broadband technologies as a key enabler for social and economic development.[24]
2014 – Total compensation of $16,488,184, which included a base salary of $1,100,000, a cash bonus of $2,500,000, stocks granted of $12,876,709, and other compensation worth $11,475.[30]
2013 – Total compensation of $21,049,501, which included a base salary of $1,100,000, a cash bonus of $4,700,080, stocks granted of $15,237,652, and other compensation worth $11,769.[31]
2012 – Total compensation of $11,687,666, which included a base salary of $375,000, a cash bonus of $3,953,376, stocks granted of $7,348,265, and other compensation worth $11,025.[31]
2011 – Total compensation of $12,890,829 which included a base salary of $375,000, no cash bonus, stocks granted of $12,500,100, and other compensation worth $11,025.[31]
2009 – Total compensation of $12,788,498, which included a base salary of $375,000, a cash bonus of $2,031,000, stocks granted of $10,372,500, and other compensation worth $9,998.[32]
2008 – Total compensation of $18,767,149, which included a base salary of $375,000, a cash bonus of $3,002,802, stocks granted of $6,442,000, and options granted of $8,938,260.[33]
2007 – Total compensation of $12,801,773, which included a base salary of $350,096, a cash bonus of $3,500,000 and options granted of $8,944,000.[34]
