Cisco CEO says education key to U.S. economy

February 26, 2005 Cisco CEO says education key to U.S. economy

W.Va. native John Chambers speaks at Charleston Area Alliance's celebration

By Jennifer Ginsberg Staff writer

The ability to innovate and create an educated workforce prepared to work in the industries of the future are some ways to propel West Virginia's and the nation's economies forward, said John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, in a speech Friday night.

Chambers, a Charleston native and head of one of the world's largest corporations, spoke at the Charleston Area Alliance's celebration.

Last year, the Business & Industrial Development Corp., Charleston Renaissance Corp. and the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce merged to create the Alliance. Friday marked their first combined celebration.

As Chambers prepared to talk about changes in the global marketplace, he applauded the three groups' ability to work as a team.

He said the ability to compete is key. The ability for business leaders to change as the economy shifts toward technology from manufacturing is important, he said.

It's also important to adequately prepare students for those future industries, he said. Jobs will go to the places with the best-educated workforce with strong infrastructure that awards innovation and has supportive governments, he said.

"I was very lucky to have two parents who were doctors who taught me very early on it's about education," he said. "Education gives you a chance to participate."

Chambers cited statistics that show American children lagged behind their Asian counterparts in math and science. China and India are the country's biggest compebreastors, he said.

Chambers declined further comment after his speech.

Event organizers expected the celebration draw at least 1,000 people to the Clay Center on Friday and be the largest annual business event in the Kanawha Valley.

Alliance Interim President and CEO Bill Goode said he related to Chambers' point about the importance of a strong education foundation.

He said he recently heard a presentation from Kanawha County school employees about how students tend to do better in math and science from fourth through eighth grades instead of high school.

"The U.S. has to be more compebreastive in math and science," Goode said.

The Alliance is working to strengthen the ties between the education and business communities, he said. The group matches schools with area businesses that help mentor and tutor students. It is modeled after the Education Alliance's Partners in Education program.

"I think he gives us some encouragement that change is good," Goode said of Chambers' speech.

The Alliance also presented these awards:

To contact staff writer Jennifer Ginsberg, use e-mail or call 348-5195.