The IT channel is always shifting and growing. Part of this consistent evolution comes from companies revamping their executive bench and bringing in new leaders to help drive innovation and growth, along with those stepping away for new opportunities.
Every month, Channel Insider is going to highlight the big moves shaking up the channel and transforming the industry.
Jason Magee leaves ConnectWise
After nearly six years as CEO, Jason Magee is leaving ConnectWise after joining the company 13 years ago. The ConnectWise veteran previously served as president, chief operating officer, executive VP of strategy and acquisitions, VP of worldwide channels and alliances, VP of worldwide channel sales, and director of worldwide channel.
Throughout his career at ConnectWise, Magee has helped grow the software company through acquisitions of ScreenConnect, the IT Nation Evolve peer groups, and the Sienna Group, as well as ConnectWise’s investment in Perch Security.
Manny Rivelo takes over at ConnectWise
Moving over as CEO of Forcepoint, Manny Rivelo will be taking the reins from Magee as the new ConnectWise CEO. The industry veteran with over 30 years of experience will work with Magee in the upcoming months to ensure a smooth transition.
“I am thrilled to join ConnectWise at such an exciting time in its journey,” Rivelo said. “Jason has done a phenomenal job positioning ConnectWise as a market leader, and I am eager to build on that success. The rise of AI presents a game-changing opportunity for MSPs and their SMB clients.”
At Forcepoint, Rivelo helped the security software provider with strategic growth initiatives and product innovation. Prior to his time at the helm of Forcepoint, Rivelo held senior leadership roles at F5 Networks, Arista, and Cisco Systems.
“Through our purpose-built platform and industry-leading community, ConnectWise is equipping MSPs with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving market,” Rivelo said.
Carolina Dybeck Happe appointed new COO and EVP at Microsoft
Former chief financial officer and senior vice president of General Electric Carolina Dybeck Happe will take on the newly created COO and Executive Vice President role at Microsoft as a member of the senior leadership team of the tech giant.
Happe will be tasked with driving continuous business process improvement across all of Microsoft’s organizations and accelerating the company-wide AI transformation to increase value to customers and partners.
Additionally, Happe will be “leveraging expertise in global transformation at scale, digitization, and continuous improvement to accelerate AI-based transformation across the company,” according to her LinkedIn account.
“When I first spoke with Satya Nadella about Microsoft’s AI transformation, I immediately saw the incredible opportunity for AI to benefit every aspect of its business as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and value creation,” she wrote.
Jason Kimrey departs Intel
Recently, Jason Kimrey elected to accept an “early retirement opportunity” and will be departing leading chipmaker, Intel. According to Kimrey, the decision was not based on “a lack of faith” in the company or its strategy.
“To be clear, this is not based on a lack of faith in Intel or our strategy,” Kimrey outlined in a LinkedIn post. “In fact, I’ve never been more confident in the long-term prospects of success for Intel. And while the transformation Intel is embarking on is tough, it’s also critical. Not just for Intel, but for the industry at large.”
Kimrey was elevated back in February, being promoted from vice president of U.S. channel and partner programs to the expanded role of vice president of the newly created North America commercial sales organization. The new role placed him in charge of Intel’s North American sales efforts with channel partners, Fortune 500 companies, and communications service providers.
Kara Sprague announced as new HackerOne CEO
Recently, HackerOne announced that Kara Sprague will be taking over as CEO of HackerOne on November 4, stepping in for Marten Mickos who will transition into an advisory role.
In a HackerOne press release that announced Sprague’s hiring, Mickos said that Sprague is “ideally suited” for the role and will lead the company forward.
“Kara’s outstanding track record in leadership, technology, and strategy, combined with her dedication to the betterment of our digital world, makes her the natural leader for HackerOne’s next major stage of growth and success,” Mickos said.
“I want our customers and everyone we work with to know I will lead with transparency and integrity,” Sprague said. “I am deeply humbled by the mission of HackerOne to ultimately build a safer digital landscape.”
John Addeo named VP of Global Channels at HackerOne
The big moves continued for HackerOne in the month of September, naming John Addeo as VP of Global Channels to “lead the program and advocate for PartnerOne’s partners and their customers’ best interests.”
Addeo will help expand access to HackerOne across the channel and assist with the company’s goal of strengthening its PartnerOne program that focuses on support and enablement.
“A rapidly evolving threat landscape has driven strong market demand for the adversarial testing skills, services, and risk reduction that only security researchers can provide,” Addeo said in a press release. “Expanding access to HackerOne across the channel enables our growing partner network to build an additional revenue opportunity and support their customers through increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges.”
Carla Ramchand tapped as new Australian Managing Director at Avanade
Carla Ramchand, who joined global services provider, Avanade, in 2015 as its COO, will step into the new role of Managing Director for its Australian business, replacing Laura Malcolm, who will leave the company after 10 years in the position.
“This is an incredible opportunity and I couldn’t be more thrilled to lead our Australian business, which is one of Avanade’s largest and most strategic markets globally,” said Ramchand in a statement. “It is an exciting time to be stepping into this role as AI becomes more pervasive and develops at a rapid pace —– creating significant economic opportunity for Australia.”
Ramchand’s previous roles before joining Avanade in 2015 include EGM for Cybersecurity at IBM and Head of Business Development and Head of Networks, Applications, and Services Sales for Telstra’s Enterprise and Government Business.
Ramchand’s promotion is one of several moves that Avanade has made in September. Rodrigo Caserta took over the role of global CEO on September 1.
Tim Coach named Chief Evangelist for MSP Channels at Cynomi
Cybersecurity and platform vendor, Cynomi, has hired Tim Coach as its new Chief Evangelist of Community and Channels, focusing on channel relationships and global partnerships.
According to Cynomi, Coach will be a regular attendee of industry events with the Cynomi team and support the company’s partner base of MSPs and MSSPs through “improving and growing channel relationships, leading community initiatives, and enhancing the global partner experience.”
“With my MSP history, my primary goal has always been to bring solutions to the MSP and to make their lives easier,” Coach said in a press release. “Cynomi does exactly that —– it provides the path to security. No longer does the MSP have to figure out how to secure their clients on their own. Cynomi offers a partnership where we walk side by side with MSPs, helping them every step of the way to provide proof their clients are secure.”
Tiffany Bova joins Futurum as Chief Strategy and Research Officer
Leading technology research, media, and advisory firm, Futurum, has named Tiffani Bova as Chief Strategy and Research Officer. Bova, heavily respected in the industry for growth and customer experience expertise, will work closely with the entire leadership team to develop and scale its data and intelligence platform and insights for its clients.
“With the rapid acceleration of technological advancements and business model disruptions, I am thrilled to join The Futurum Group. This opportunity allows me to collaborate with some of the world’s leading brands as they navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic market landscape,” Bova said. “Together, we will drive innovation and strategic growth, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve in this fast-evolving environment.”
Additionally, Bova will lead the team’s efforts within the technology and telecom channels, demonstrating the power and performance of connected go-to-market strategies and alliances.
Reyna Thompson announced as TD SYNNEX President of North America
Leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem, TD SYNNEX, has named Reyna Thompson as President of North America. She will step into the role on December 1, with Peter Larocque stepping out of the position and transitioning into an advisory role on November 30.
Thompson first joined TD SYNNEX back in 1993 and most recently led the company’s North America Advanced Solutions business unit focused on cloud, security, data/AI, and data center solutions.
“I’ve had a great privilege of working with great leaders and watching this company grow and grow and grow, most recently in the last few years, helping to shape the TD SYNNEX organization,” Thompson told CRN. “That has been my greatest accomplishment professionally: being part of this organization and working alongside leaders like Peter Larocque.”
Larissa Crandall appointed to new Channel Chief role
Intelligent Observability Platform, New Relic, announced that Larissa Crandall will be named the new Channel Chief and Group Vice President of Partners and Alliances. She will be tasked with further developing and strengthening the company’s partner strategy and channel programs worldwide.
Additionally, Crandall will help grow the partner organization, expand multiple parts of the company’s alliance and partner ecosystem, and “help enterprises around the world realize the benefits of New Relic in driving innovation, improving reliability, and delivering more perfect customer experiences.”
“New Relic is a market maker and pioneer in the observability space. I am excited to join the company as it continues to innovate and lead the sector with a compelling product, business model, and team dedicated to delivering customer success,” Crandall said. “With the amazing partnerships we have developed, I embrace the opportunity to lead the global channel and alliances organization at New Relic as the company enters its next phase of growth.”
Crandall has had an expansive career in the channel and sales space for the IT sector. She’s joining New Relic from Veeam, where she was Vice President of Global Channel and Alliances.
Eric Torres tapped as new VP of Channel & Community Engagement at Pax8
Eric Torres will take over in the newly created VP of Channel & Community Engagement position at Pax8, effective immediately.
The new position will see Torres responsible for strategy, planning, and execution of channel events and “community-building initiatives.”
The channel veteran brings nearly 20 years of experience to the role and most recently held the VP of Channel role at ScalePad.
This appointment is the latest in a year filled with moves by Pax8. Back in July, the company named Eric Stevens its Chief AI Officer. Additionally, the company named Nick Heddy President to go along with his Chief Commerce Officer designation, appointed Libby McIlhany as Chief Product Officer, and Scott Chasin as CEO, with co-founder and former CEO John Street moving into a chairman of the board role.
For more industry news, check out our roundup of recent acquisitions and mergers across the channel.