David Goeckeler

2025 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

David Goeckeler is the chairman and CEO of Sandisk Corporation, a global Flash semiconductor storage and advanced memory technology innovator with extensive operations throughout the United States and Asia, and more than 10,000 employees worldwide. Previously, Goeckeler was CEO of Western Digital, leading the company’s resurgence as the leading global supplier of data storage products. He also divided the company into two public companies – Western Digital and Sandisk. Goeckeler began his career at Bell Laboratories and then rose to  executive vice president and general manager of Cisco’s $34 billion networking and security business.

Goeckeler received his MS in Computer Science in 1986 and sits on the Illinois Grainger Engineering Board of Visitors. He is chairman of the board of directors of the Semiconductor Industry Association, and chairman of the U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC) at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Finally, he sits on the board of directors of ADP.