James Cole’s Significant Career at Intel

James Cole ’98 joins his pledge brother, Brian Wilson, as one of Delta Delta’s newest Significant Sigs in 2026.

James Cole ’98

“To be named a Significant Sig is truly an honor that is hard to fully comprehend. Since my Sigma Chi journey began in 1994 when I walked into the doors at 202 Littleton Street,” Brother Cole reflected, “the fraternity has touched every area and domain of my life.  The brotherhood I continue to experience has impacted my life in ways I could never have anticipated as a pledge stepping into something far greater than I could have ever imagined. My pledge class has been with me since those first days, celebrating life’s many milestones and adding a lot of humor along the way. Other brothers from my era at Purdue continue to be like family — not just to me, but to my wife and my four kids. They push me in my faith and challenge me to continue to be the man Sigma Chi demands — a values-based leader, a dedicated husband, and an involved father.” To see James’ full personal statement go to Sigma Chi’s Impact.  

An Outstanding Career at Intel

James began his career at Intel in 1997 following his graduation from Purdue University, serving as a Business Operations and Program Manager. After four years, he was selected for the prestigious Intel Scholar Program, through which he earned his MBA from Duke University.

Upon returning to Intel, James joined the Digital Enterprise Group as a Senior Product Management and Marketing Manager, a role he held for six years. He then advanced to Director of Product Management, Strategy and Technology within the Client and Mobile Group, where he identified an emerging market shift toward low-cost mobile platforms. As a founding team member of Intel’s Atom microprocessor product, James helped launch a product that became the fastest in Intel’s history to surpass $1B in both revenue and margin, ultimately scaling to over $8B in revenue during his tenure.

James subsequently moved into a senior leadership role within Intel’s Security Group, serving as Senior Director and General Manager and Global Security Domain Lead of the Platform Security Division. In this capacity, he led enterprise-wide teams responsible for security strategy, product execution, and standards. His expertise earned him recognition as an industry authority, leading to speaking engagements at the Air Force Academy, Purdue University, and UC Davis, as well as leadership of a joint security research initiative with the U.S. Government. He also served as Intel’s representative on the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance for ten years, where he was an Executive Committee member and Treasurer, collaborating with the world’s leading technology companies to advance passwordless authentication and passkey technology.

James noted, “My family is both my motivation and a great support system.” The Cole family (L-R) Grace, Luke, Jennifer, James, Jack and Will

In 2020, James was appointed Chief Technology Officer of a Global Accounts team within Intel’s Sales and Marketing Group, where he provided strategic technical leadership to key customers, supporting over $2B in annual revenue. He was subsequently promoted to Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center and Artificial Intelligence Group, overseeing Xeon product lines generating over $4B in annual revenue and managing a budget exceeding $5B. Under his leadership, Intel strengthened its market segment share in data centers, delivering a modernized product roadmap, improved margins, and significant cost reductions to address the rapidly evolving market for data centers and artificial intelligence. His leadership effectiveness during this period was reflected in executive leadership feedback scores that substantially exceeded the company average.

Following his tenure at Intel, James joined Cisco as Vice President of Product Management, Strategy and Business Development in the Data Center Group, where he leads a growth business spanning data center networking and AI infrastructure, driving over $5B in annual revenue.

Extra-Curricular Activities

• California State University, Sacramento, Department of Engineering and Computer Science Board of Directors/Industry Advisory Board (2023-Present)
  -Advisor to the Dean regarding operations of the school (growth, academic focus, faculty and student life)
• FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance – Board Member & Treasurer, Executive Council (2015-2025) FIDO Alliance is a global alliance of leading corporations (Apple, Google, Amazon, Intel etc.) working to move the eco-system to passkeys to ensure a more secure on-line experience.
• Sunrise Community Church Member, Elder Board (2006-2016), Chairman of the Elder Board (2012-2016)
  -Helped lead fiscal, operational and staff of over 1,000 parishioner church
• Marriage and Pre-Marriage Counselor – Volunteer marriage and pre-marriage counselor with wife Jennfier to over 100 couples