TECHNOLOGY CEO ANDREW MILLER ENCOURAGES SUPPORT FOR LOCAL NON-PROFITS BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE JAVISTRONG54 FOUNDATION

  DANVILLE, CA - 05/16/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Veteran technology-industry CEO Andy M. Miller is launching an initiative this week to increase support for under-recognized Bay Area charitable organizations. He plans to contribute an initial total of $25,000 to seven local non-profit groups in seven days, starting today with the Javistrong54 Foundation.

The Javistrong54 Foundation is raising funds for the family of Danville, Calif., student-athlete Jake Javier, who was paralyzed from the chest down last year in a tragic swimming pool accident. Javier, captain of the San Ramon High School football team, had won a scholarship before the accident to play football and study mechanical engineering at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. This spring, he started online classes at Cal Poly while undergoing a intense rehabilitation program, and has received an experimental stem cell treatment that may eventually allow him to regain additional muscle function.

“I was so moved by Jake’s story that I needed to do something,” says Miller, who has served as CEO of Polycom and Tandberg, and in other senior positions for companies including Cisco, IPC Systems and Monster Worldwide. “I’m pleased to be able to help cover at least some of the Javier family’s substantial medical bills, and I strongly encourage others to help out as well.”

Throughout his career, Miller has seen most corporate philanthropy directed toward larger charitable organizations, while smaller non-profit programs are all-too-often overlooked. “Local charities do incredible work,” he says, “but they often fly under the radar screen because they simply don’t have the manpower or money to publicize their efforts.” That’s why he has identified seven local charities making a difference in their communities and, as part of his personal “Seven for Seven” initiative, will be making a charitable contribution to one of them at a time over the next two weeks.

“Andy’s efforts to boost support for local charities should be an inspiration to us all,” says Kim Liss, a Danville, Calif.-based philanthropy consultant. “I look forward to learning which charities he has selected, and hope that this initiative will encourage others to contribute their time and money to these and other under-appreciated community organizations.”

Javistrong54 Foundation is partnering with former San Francisco 49ers star Ronnie Lott and his All Stars Helping Kids foundation, a 501(c) (3) organization, to host the 1st Annual JaviStrong54 Golf Tournament on June 19, 2017 at the Blackhawk Country Club Lakeside Course in Danville. All proceeds go directly towards the medical bills of Javier and others with spinal cord injuries. For more information or to help sponsor the event, visit: javistrong54.com golf event.

Andy Miller has more than two decades of executive experience in industry leading companies including Polycom, IPC, Tandberg and Cisco

As a senior operating executive, he excelled in focusing on strategic growth areas, leading global expansion, and driving improved profitability. As a director, he collaborated on successful enterprise communications IPOs including Gigamon (GIMO).

In addition to guest lecturing at UCLA, USC and Stanford, Andy has spoken at the World Economic Forum Davos and has given keynote addresses at Microsoft’s Worldwide Mobile Congress and the Aspen Ideas Festival.