Cisco Sanchez: A Technologist Who Built His Career One Step at a Time

A Leader Who Grew From the Inside

Some tech leaders enter their roles through flashy startups or headline-grabbing jumps. Cisco Sanchez took a different road. His path was long, steady, and built on showing up, learning fast, and lifting the people around him. Today, he stands as one of the most seasoned technology executives in the enterprise world, with nearly three decades of experience running large IT organizations and helping companies adopt new technologies responsibly.

“I never set out to chase titles,” he says. “I set out to solve real problems and help people do their best work.”

His story is simple and grounded—shaped by Colorado roots, a commitment to learning, and a drive to build technology teams that actually support the business, not distract from it.

Early Life and the Start of a Work Ethic

Cisco grew up in Colorado, the son of a family that valued both hard work and humility. “My mom shaped a lot of who I am,” he says. “She taught me to stay steady, stay positive, and be grateful for opportunities.”

He graduated from East High School in Pueblo, then earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and later a master’s degree from Colorado Technical University. He also built the early habits that would stay with him for decades—curiosity, a love of old cars, and a habit of running to clear his mind.

Those pieces would matter more than he realized once his career began.

From Intern to CIO at FedEx: 25 Years of Growth

A Ground-Level View of Operations

Cisco didn’t begin his career in a leadership seat. He started at FedEx as an intern. “I had no idea what I was getting into,” he remembers. “But I knew two things: I was willing to work hard, and I wanted to learn from the people around me.”

That early experience gave him a street-level view of how a major enterprise operates. It showed him how technology touches every inch of a business—from logistics to customer experience to employee workflow.

Rising Through the Ranks

Over 25 years at FedEx, Cisco climbed through roles that tested both his technical and leadership abilities. He built teams, managed major operational systems, and helped the company modernize across a time of rapid digital change.

“I wore a lot of hats,” he says. “It taught me that real leadership is about being useful, not important.”

Eventually, Cisco became the CIO of FedEx Ground—a rare accomplishment for someone who began at the bottom rung. But he describes it in simple terms: “I just tried to make things better each year. That was my north star.”

Leading at Qualcomm: A Global CIO With a Global View

Managing 3,500 People Across Continents

After FedEx, Cisco made a big leap. He joined Qualcomm as Global CIO—a role with worldwide responsibility. He oversaw more than 3,500 team members and had to manage teams working across time zones, cultures, and functions.

“It was the first time I truly felt the weight of global scale,” he says. “You learn fast that communication matters more than anything.”

Cisco focused on building cross-functional IT teams and helping the company adopt AI/ML technologies in deliberate, practical ways. He often pushed back on hype-driven thinking.

“AI is powerful,” he explains, “but only if you use it responsibly and make sure it solves real business problems.”

Building Modern Enterprise IT Strategy

At Qualcomm, Cisco reshaped enterprise IT strategy, modernized cloud and colocation footprints, and supported major transformations across the business. He also became known for building high-performing teams with a sense of calm and clarity.

“The CIO role is only as lonely as you allow it to be,” he has said in past interviews. “You have to stay connected to your people.”

The Next Chapter: Chief Product & Engineering Officer at XOPS

In 2025, Cisco joined the board of XOPS, then stepped into an even bigger challenge—leading both product and engineering as Chief Product and Engineering Officer.

The role fits his operator mindset. “I love being close to the work,” he says. “I enjoy building things that teams can actually use.”

His focus today includes:

• scaling AI/ML responsibly
• strengthening enterprise architectures
• building global engineering teams
• connecting technology investments to measurable business outcomes

Cisco’s hands-on experience across operations, IT, cloud, and AI gives him a rare end-to-end view of how enterprise systems really work.

A Technologist With a Human Side

Values Built on Family, Community, and Curiosity

Despite his long list of accomplishments, Cisco stays grounded. He enjoys:

• spending time with family
• working on old cars
• exploring new technology
• supporting science education through the Fleet Science Center

These interests help keep him balanced. “Technology moves fast,” he says. “Family keeps you steady. Hobbies keep you humble.”

Why Cisco Sanchez Stands Out

Cisco’s leadership isn’t defined by buzzwords or press releases. His approach is quiet, practical, and shaped by lived experience. He believes in building teams that trust each other, focusing on useful innovation, and staying close to the work at every level.

“I’ve always believed that if you do the right things the right way, the results will come,” he says. “Titles change. Technology changes. But values don’t.” To learn more about his work, you can visit Cisco Sanchez.