François Locoh-Donou is the President, CEO, and Director of F5 Networks, a company specializing in multi-cloud application security and delivery. With nearly two decades of experience in the enterprise technology sector, he has transformed F5 from a networking hardware maker to a leader in software- and SaaS-first solutions since joining the company in April 2017.
Who is the CEO of F5?
François Locoh-Donou, the President, CEO, and Director of F5 Networks, has an extensive background in the enterprise technology sector. Before joining F5 in April 2017, he held various leadership roles at Ciena Corporation from 2002 to March 2017, including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of the Global Products Group. Locoh-Donou also worked in research and development at Photonetics, a French opto-electronics company.
As the CEO of F5, he has been instrumental in transforming the company from a networking hardware maker to a software- and SaaS-first leader in multi-cloud application security and delivery. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Locoh-Donou co-founded Cajou Espoir, a cashew-processing facility in Togo that employs a significant number of women, and serves on the Board of Directors of Capital One Financial Corp. Capital One Financial Corp, F5, Bloomberg Markets.
Work History
- F5, President and CEO: April 2017 - Present
- Capital One, Board Member: March 2019 - Present
- Cajou Espoir, Co-Founder & Chairman: January 2004 - Present
- Ciena, Chief Operating Officer: November 2015 - March 2017
- Ciena, Senior Vice President, Global Products Group: January 2011 - October 2015
- Ciena, Vice President and General Manager, Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA): January 2005 - January 2011
- Ciena, Vice President, International Sales: January 2004 - January 2005
- Ciena, Vice President, Global Marketing: January 2002 - January 2004
Education History
François Locoh-Donou has an impressive educational background, holding degrees from prestigious institutions. He earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Physics Engineering from Centrale Méditerranée between 1991 and 1994. Locoh-Donou then pursued a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Optical Communications at Télécom Paris, completing the program in 1995. Finally, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, graduating in 2002.
When did François Locoh-Donou join F5?
Since joining F5 as President and CEO in April 2017, François Locoh-Donou has played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a software- and SaaS-first leader in multi-cloud application security and delivery. As of now, Locoh-Donou has been with F5 for over four years, continuing to drive the company's growth and innovation in the enterprise technology sector.