1. Michael Dell, CEO, Dell

Michael Dell has performed probably the biggest U-turn in channel history: He turned the once direct-only largest PC vendor in the world into a channel company. Despite years of trumpeting the direct strategy, on his return as CEO on Jan. 31, 2007, Dell began to put in place a channel strategy.

In December 2007, Dell launched its channel strategy to the world. While VARs are still cautious, the fact that Dell was able to see the future of technology involving the channel, and then begin to change his company strategy, cements his place firmly in our Top 12 executives. Dell has also realized the future of the technology industry will be in services, and to this end, also began acquiring managed service providers, such as Everdream and Silverback.