In Memoriam: John Burris

Letter From Sourcefire Chairman Steve Polk: Former CEO John Burris Loses Battle With Cancer

COLUMBIA, MD — (Marketwire) — 10/19/12 — Sourcefire, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIRE)
Dear Stockholders, Employees, Customers and Friends,
I am very sad to report that our friend, former Sourcefire CEO John Burris, has lost his battle with cancer and passed away late this afternoon. We extend our sympathies to his wife Ann, his children Jason, Meg and Luke, his siblings Joe and Becky, his parents, family and friends. John touched the lives of all he met, especially Sourcefire’s Firemen who were inspired by his vision and leadership. We were enriched by knowing him and are filled with sorrow.
Sincerely,
Steve
Lt. Gen. (ret) Steven R. PolkChairman
Sourcefire

John was my sister Ann’s husband.  He was a brilliant, multi-talented guy and devoted husband and father.  A native of West Virginia, he was a state champion drummer and turned down a full music scholarship to Duke to attend Marshall University, from which he graduated magna cum laude.  He held positions with AT&T, Lucent, Citrix (VP, Worldwide Sales), and became the CEO of Sourcefire in 2008.  Under his tutelage, Sourcefire grew into a company with over a billion dollars of market cap and saw its stock price increase by 1400%.  Despite such lofty achievements, John always remained down-to-earth, true to his roots, his family, and God.  He is surely with Him tonight.