Arif Shakeel BS Mechanical Engineering, '77 Former CEO of Western Digital Corporation Current Director of Western Digital Corporation, headquartered in Lake Forest, California

Executive Profile

Arif Shakeel is the former chief executive officer and a current director of Western Digital Corporation, headquartered in Lake Forest, California. Western Digital is one of the largest computer information storage manufacturers in the world, posting almost $12.5 billion in revenue in 2012. Western Digital employs 96,000 workers worldwide delivering storage solutions to all leading PC manufacturers and participants in cloud computing, network attached storage and other electronic devices requiring storage.

Under Mr. Shakeel’s leadership, the company succeeded in efforts to improve manufacturing efficiency by reducing operating expenses and increasing capacity. As a result of his cost-control efforts Western Digital achieved a nearly 50 percent reduction in operating expenses. Production increased and revenue doubled from $2 billion in 2000 to $4 billion in 2005. In that same time frame, Western Digital posted the most consistent profits and highest returns on invested capital in the hard drive industry.

Mr. Shakeel began his career of more than two decades with Western Digital in 1985, holding numerous increasingly responsible positions including product manager, vice president for materials-Asia, senior vice president for worldwide operations, executive vice president and chief operating officer before becoming chief executive officer in 2005.

Mr. Shakeel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Memphis (Memphis State University) in 1977 and received his Master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University in 1981. Mr. Shakeel resides in Laguna Niguel, California with his wife Maria and is the proud father of two children.