Goeckeler's Memory Business Soars After Split From Western Digital

David Goeckeler, former executive vice president and general manager of Cisco's Networking and Security Business, took over as CEO of Western Digital in March 2020. He led the flash-memory business into its own listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange on February 24, 2025.

The company, now known as Sandisk, started trading at $48.60 per share and has since increased to a high of $2,335.00 in June 2026. The perpetual market on Phemex, which tracks the performance of Sandisk's stock, closed at $1,733.61 on September 4, 2026.

Goeckeler's decision to split Western Digital into two separate companies was seen as a strategic move, rather than an admission of failure. This separation allowed investors to price the flash-memory business directly against memory demand, resulting in a significant increase in its value.