20 years at IBM, started as a development manager, and quickly rose to become a Global Head of R&D. He lead the teams that developed the first release of DB2 and started IBM’s drive into operational artificial intelligence, resulting in the creation of the Watson Group. He then left IBM and became a noted serial CIO in Silicon Valley of illustrious technology impact companies such as Silicon Graphics, Brocade Communications, Altera and Synopsys. At these companies he significantly influenced their world wide strategic direction and operational execution, as well as their information technology infrastructure. He was the COO of a successful IT services start up. Cates co-founded one of the earliest leading CIO network groups in Silicon Valley. He was president of the CIO Scholarship fund for six years and is now a board member of the Consortium of Information System Executives Education Fund (CEF). He is currently co-leading, with CISE support, the establishment of a two year cybersecurity degree at Merritt College in Oakland.CA. He ,currently, is a strategic advisor and Board of Director member to several startups, including Quarrio Corporation, a Silicon Valley artificial intelligence startup.
