The 2009 TIME 100 Finalists

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers who deserve a spot on this year's TIME 100. — By Brian Raftery

John Chambers

Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers

David McNew / Getty

AGE: 59
OCCUPATION: Cisco Systems CEO
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 1

PRO: Rather than hibernate during the slowdown, Chambers has opted to keep on spending, acquiring the instant-message provider Jabber and management-software company PostPath.

CON: Some investors worry that mergers and acquisitions are too risky at the moment.

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