Andrico Spates

With over 20 years of industry experience, Andrico is skilled in developing businesses and people as a leader, advisor and creator. In his current position, he is responsible for directing the execution strategy and value realization of Cisco's Social Justice Initiative to diversify the channel partner ecosystem. This initiative is focused on accelerating the growth and success of diverse Cisco partners while also increasing the hiring of diverse candidates across the entire Cisco partner ecosystem. Leveraging both technology and business strategies, Andrico has previously led teams focused on global market strategy, data and analytics, and partner services development growing numerous multi-million-dollar companies. Andrico is an advisor that has a passion for developing career professionals, technology entrepreneurs, and business owners. He routinely advises executives on organizational strategies to drive profitable growth. He has also created outcome based strategic frameworks to accelerate professional success. To develop the next generation of technology professionals, Andrico launched the St. Louis location for Cisco's high school externship program, is a lead for college internship programs, and is an early in career mentor for the Cisco Connected Black Professionals. Through his work Andrico has been recognized as a 2022 and 2023 DE&I Honoree by Channel Futures, profiled in a 2023 Executive Spotlight by CRN, and recognized as a Top 100 Inclusive Channel Leader. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, the National Black MBA Association, and serves as an Advisory Board Member for St. Louis Internship Program. Andrico earned a Master's in Information and Communication Science from Ball State University, and an MBA from University of Missouri-St. Louis while becoming certified in multiple Cisco and 3rd party technologies.