Today VMware, the global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, hosted the White House Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and industry luminaries at its global headquarters to discuss the role of innovation in economic growth and job creation. Co-sponsored by the National Venture Capital Association, TechNet and the Silicon Valley Leadership Council, participants explored ways to propel job creation, further next-generation R&D and attract the world's most talented employees to continue driving US economic growth.

Hosted by VMware Chief Technology Officer and SVP of R&D Steve Herrod, panelists participating in the discussion with local businesses and entrepreneurs included Jobs Council Members Steve Case, John Doerr and Sheryl Sandberg, as well as Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and US Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra. Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired Magazine, was the moderator.

"At VMware we believe innovation is the lifeblood of progress," said Steve Herrod, VMware Chief Technology Officer and SVP of R&D. "From our earliest days as a startup through our growth to a leader in cloud computing, it's our investment in the people and technologies of the future that drives our ability to lead the industry and grow the market. We serve the most demanding customers on earth, from government agencies to global corporations to small and medium businesses around the world, and they all expect breakthrough technology that helps them succeed in the Cloud Era."

To read more about VMware's innovation philosophy please visit Steve Herrod's blog at: http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/cto/steve/