A 1977 graduate in computer science, Bobby Johnson, Jr., ranks among the worldwide leaders in the field of high-performance networking, having founded two extremely successful international corporations: Centillion Networks Inc., and Foundry Networks Inc. Johnson’s success as a technology leader has made this North Carolina native a well-respected and revered executive in the inner circles of California’s Silicon Valley business leaders and around the globe.Johnson co-founded Foundry Networks Inc., a provider of high-performance routers and switches, and served as company President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors until the company was acquired by Brocade Communications Systems in 2008 for a reported $3B in cash and stock. His entrepreneurial and management success has been recognition by publications like Forbes, Fortune, Network World, Nikkei and notable organizations such as Ernst & Young. Additionally, under Johnson's leadership, Foundry Networks earned more than 50 corporate and product awards, including "Top Technology IPO of 1999" and numerous "Best of Show" product awards at Networld+Interop Las Vegas and Tokyo. After its highly successful IPO on September 28, 1999, Foundry raised $134 million and set two records: Highest Single Day Gain (525%) and Highest Technology Single Day Valuation. Under Johnson’s leadership, Foundry Networks is reportedly the only high tech company in the Silicon Valley to have remained profitable in every quarter during the post dot com bubble burst period. Prior to his success at Foundry Networks, Johnson co-founded and served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of Centillion Networks, Inc., a provider of local area network switches. Centillion Networks was sold to Bay Networks in May 1995, which was later sold to Nortel Networks. As a North Carolinian and an NC State University alumnus, Bobby Johnson’s entrepreneurial and business leadership have made him one of the most highly recognized and distinguished executives in the Silicon Valley. He and his wife, Donna, have established a strong level of support for the university, providing support to create endowed scholarships to honor both Dr. Thomas Honeycutt and Dr. Robert Fornaro. Johnson was recognized in 2008 as a Distinguished Engineering Alumni by the NC State University College of Engineering.