Led by Channel Experts with a Strong Vision
Our commitment to the IT channel starts with our executives – a remarkable team of experienced, engaged and visionary channel leaders.
Here at The Channel Company, our leadership team’s combined IT industry and channel-specific experience gives our clients unparalleled value and expertise to drive the growth of their organizations. We are passionate about our work and our people, deeply connected to our customers, and ready to help you make meaningful change in your business.
Business Leaders
Blaine Raddon
Chief Executive Officer
Rob Wiseltier
Founding Partner, CFO
Jade Surrette
Chief Marketing Officer
Michelle Gunter
Senior Vice President, GM
Customer Experience
Adelaide J. Reilly
Senior Vice President, GM
Digital
Bill Jones
Senior Vice President, GM
Communities & Events
Functional Leaders
Erika McGrath
Vice President, People and Culture
Rick Bellan
Vice President, Marketing Services
Fernando Mendez
Senior Vice President, Audienz
Christina Szabados
Senior Director, Sales
Dana Sell
Senior Director, Sales
Content Executives
Chip Garate
Vice President,
Research and Analytics
Jen Follett
Executive Editor
Steve Burke
Executive Editor, News
Founding Partners
Robert Faletra
Partner, Executive Chairman
Dan Dignam
Partner, Executive Advisor
Lisa MacKenzie
Partner, Executive Vice President
Robert Faletra
Partner, Executive Chairman
Robert Faletra is one of the top authorities in the IT channel and technology marketplace and often referred to as The Voice of (and for) the Channel. Bob brings a unique understanding of the technology marketplace, informed by 30 years of experience in all aspects of the channel. A dedicated advisor to technology suppliers (from start-ups to enterprises), Bob helps them conceptualize and build strategic channel initiatives and often meets with CEOs to discuss channel strategy. Bob has deep relationships in the solution provider community and also sits on the advisory board of several high tech start-ups, helping them formulate their go-to-market strategy.
Lisa MacKenzie
Partner, Executive Vice President
Lisa MacKenzie is a seasoned executive with expertise in marketing, sales, product management and operations. Lisa was instrumental in The Channel Company's evolution from providing traditional media to offering a full portfolio of solutions and services. She brings her proven expertise to The Channel Company's extensive events portfolio - helping ensure that our events meet the evolving needs of our customers. Thanks to Lisa's leadership, The Channel Company attracts record audiences and receives high customer satisfaction scores. Lisa also repositioned our consulting, research and education offerings, resulting in increased profitability and new product launches.
Dan Dignam
Partner, Executive Advisor
Dan Dignam is an experienced media and IT channel executive who directs sales, strategy and operations for The Channel Company, among other responsibilities. Dan has a proven track record of launching successful new projects, extending brands through organic growth and acquisitions - and providing innovative solutions for customers. He is skilled at providing solutions for customers and driving significant revenue. Previously, Dan held strategic leadership positions in various media products of The Channel Company - managing editorial, marketing and sales.
Rob Wiseltier
Partner, Chief Financial Officer
Rob Wiseltier is responsible for all financial functions including financial planning, budgeting and reporting, business expansion initiatives, capital projects and day-to-day financial activities. Rob has a BS degree from Pace University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York. He brings more than 20 years of financial management experience to the challenges of managing a dynamic, growing organization.
Adelaide J. Reilly
Senior Vice President, General Manager, Digital
Adelaide J. Reilly is responsible for the day-to-day technical and sales operations of CRN, which provides real-time news and analysis of the IT channel through online, print, and mobile apps. Adelaide is also responsible for managing Web-based events and custom sales and marketing programs to drive partner engagement and customer demand. With more than 20 years of experience in publishing and communications consulting, Adelaide has successfully delivered content marketing programs that enable B2B technology vendors to reach IT decision-makers and solution providers worldwide.
Jen Follett
Executive Editor
Jennifer Follett is the Executive Editor for CRN, where she has been covering the IT solution provider channel for over 20 years. She currently oversees CRN magazine and CRN.com, the website for the industry’s leading channel publication. She previously reported on a number of technology beats for CRN, including networking and VoIP. During her time at CRN, she has interviewed a number of industry heavyweights, including Bill Gates, Michael Dell and John Chambers. She graduated from Boston University with degrees in journalism and English and lives in the Boston area with her family.
Steve Burke
Executive Editor, News
Steven Burke has been reporting on the technology industry and sales channel for 30 years. Burke joined CRN in 1993 and has teamed with fellow editors numerous times to win American Society of Business Publication Editors and Jesse H. Neal journalism awards. He is passionate about the role of partners using technology to solve business problems and has spoken at conferences on channel sales issues.
Christina Szabados
Senior Director, Sales
Dana Sell
Senior Director, Sales
Bill Jones
Senior Vice President, General Manager, Events
Bill Jones continually drives bottom-line performance for our events business. He leads a team of operations, customer service, venue planning and event systems that support The Channel Company’s renowned brands. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of the event and conference industry, Bill is responsible for new business development tools, profitable execution and custom engagements for the group. His event expertise spans launching and managing programs, including on-demand conferences, virtual events, live events, conferences, road shows and partner events.
Rick Bellan
Vice President, PartnerDemand Services & Data Analytics
Rick Bellan is responsible for our marketing services organization PartnerDemand Services, as well our Data Science and Analytics practice, which drives expansion of our client partnerships, optimizes data and program performance to yield the greatest results, and ensures the highest level of client satisfaction. Rick has dedicated his career to technology channel audience development and leads our ChannelBase strategy, the most up-to-date and comprehensive database in the channel—one our core differentiators as a company.
Jade Surrette
Chief Marketing Officer
Jade Surrette is the Chief Marketing Officer for The Channel Company where she sets our marketing strategy to drive brand amplification, demand for our full breadth of services across all segments, and increase value to our clients through innovative programs. Prior to her role as CMO, Jade served as Senior Vice President of Marketing Services, leading portfolio expansion and driving marketing strategy transformation for our clients to amplify their brand, accelerate opportunity for their business, and optimize investment for the greatest return. With over 20 years in the IT channel, Jade has led all aspects of marketing, services development, product management, operations and client management with extensive experience in driving strategic initiatives to increase sales and profitability, strengthen customer value, and garner high return.
Erika McGrath
Vice President, People and Culture
Erika McGrath is a dynamic HR Executive with 20+ years of experience in all areas of Human Resources including talent engagement strategy, recruitment and retention, employee relations, strategy development and implementation, learning and development and benefits and compensation. As a proven strategic collaborator and business partner, Erika’s passion has always been around People and Culture and the key role that plays in business success. She has a graduate degree in Occupational Social Work from Columbia University and her previous experience includes working with a large international B2B media and events company where she worked in various divisional and corporate HR roles.
Chip Garate
Vice President, Research and Analytics
Michelle Gunter
Senior Vice President, General Manager, Services
Michelle Gunter is responsible for leading our services practice that includes our marketing services organization, PartnerDemand Services, and our channel insights, research, and education services organization, IPED Consulting. Michelle ensures our clients receive continuous and increased value from our programs and services throughout the customer lifecycle, with an emphasis on delivering measurable, outcome-based results. Michelle comes to us from one of our strategic IPED partners, Partner Perspectives, and has a rich channel and consulting background, with over 20 years leading global channel sales, marketing demand, and services organizations for industry-leading and high-growth technology companies.
Fernando Mendez
Senior Vice President, Audienz
A lifelong technology entrepreneur, Fernando brings 30 years of experience and executive tenure to Audienz. With McKinsey & Co., he advised multi-national corporations on strategic planning, corporate finance, and new market development. Today, Fernando works with Fortune 50 corporations to develop and execute complex B2B marketing, sales strategies, and campaigns. Originally from Venezuela, Fernando has significant international tenure, having worked in more than 15 countries, including the US, Brazil, Columbia, and Hong Kong. In his free time, Fernando enjoys classical guitar playing and triathlon training.
Blaine Raddon
Chief Executive Officer
Blaine Raddon serves as The Channel Company's Chief Executive Officer. Across his 30+ years of leadership experience in the IT channel, Blaine has held numerous executive positions: Vice President of NA Channels and Commercial Sales for Juniper; General Manager of North America for Acronis; Senior Vice President for Clear Center; Sr. Director of Channel Strategy and Partner Enablement for HPE; and 20 years at IBM, where he held several channel management roles, including Director of Distribution Sales. Blaine's leadership experience also includes eight years of service in the United States Army.
