Biography

Neal Tilley is a Education Business Development Manager within the US Public Sector.  With over 30 years of experience in the IT Communication industry, Neal brings insight into how and why technology can make a difference to any education organization.

On top of his Business Development duties, Neal is coordinator of the Cisco Higher Education Advisory Council which currently includes over 50 top universities’ CIOs.

Before joining Cisco, Neal worked across the world, Neal has been involved in many Education customers’ digital transformations and brings invaluable experience to any institutions mission. His present role at Cisco is focused on helping Educators understand the impact of emerging infrastructure & collaboration technologies on their teaching environment, their students success, their faculty’s development, as well as how to maximize partnerships and associated eco systems. 

Neal prides himself on constantly sharing his knowledge and helping translate the latest innovations into the vocabulary of the Education leaders. Neal collaborates with senior stakeholders to identify the tangible benefits of Cisco solutions needed to evolve an Education service to focus on a student’s digital future.  Whether that’s explaining new technologies (like SDN, AI, VR, etc.) or consulting on innovation initiatives (NGDLE, CETL, eRate etc.) with the correct language and relevance.

Neal also has a unique background in Sports, Esports and Entertainment sector including innovation in Stadiums and Arenas. Neal is a member of the Cisco Internal Sports Media Entertainment Advisory Board. He also leads Collegiate and K-12 Esport engagement across Cisco.  

Neal has helped School Districts and Universities develop new teaching practices with new innovations.  Neal has participated, presented and contributed to many education associations and events.  Neal served as Vendor Representative on the ACUTA program committee (until June 2017).  He was awarded the Jeri Semer Volunteer Recognition Award for 2016 to services to the ACUTA members.  The first ever corporate member to win an ACUTA voted recognition award.

Neal has a Bsc (Hons) degree in Business Studies,  and a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (DipM). Before Cisco, Neal developed his diverse technical background by working for several vendors (Xylan, Alcatel-Lucent, HP, Cisco), System Integrators as well as several large PC manufacturers. All though his career he has always worked with education customers, and has an impressive list of use cases and successes.

Neal is focused on immersing himself into the unique environment every school district, university or college he works with.