August 11-13, 2019
Gaylord Rockies Resort, Denver, CO
Mark your calendars for the XCHANGE 2019 — August 11-13, 2019, Gaylord Rockies Resort, Denver, CO. Check back soon for the registration, agenda, speaker and sponsor details. To learn more about how to you can be part of this event, contact Allison Cohen at acohen@thechannelco.com.
As EVP and GM of CareWorx, Marco La Vecchia is responsible for the development and growth of its Managed Services strategy across the United States and Canada. Recognized for his pragmatic, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic thinking, Marco offers CareWorx and its customers progressive business development experience gained from a variety of positions and industry sectors. He champions a highly consultative approach to the CareWorx team. This includes education, training support, and marketing programs that extend beyond Managed Services and focus’ on broader strategies to grow the company.
In 2015, Marco was recognized as a CRN Channel Chief. In 2016 and 2017 Marco received an award for Executive of the Year in the Mid-Market space by the Channel Company.
Lawrence Van Deusen is the Director of the Network Integration Line of Business at Dimension Data. Van Deusen has over 18+ years of experience designing, architecting, implementing and supporting enterprise business solutions in a variety of IT computing environments. Prior to joining Dimension Data, Van Deusen was most recently employed as a Senior IT Architect for IBM Global Services in the IP Connectivity services practice. His primary focus was Cisco WAN/LAN architecture design and implementations. Prior to joining IBM Global Services, Van Deusen was employed as a Senior Consultant at Bearing Point (formerly KPMG consulting) where he was employed in the Network Solutions practice.
Michael Lomonaco is the director of marketing and communications for OST. He joined the $160 million leading solution provider in 2011. Michael honed his marketing and communications skills while attending Michigan State University. His career has included positions in local, state and federal political and policy work, corporate and nonprofit consulting, and customer relations, public relations, and marketing in the manufacturing sector. These days, Michael leads the Marketing and Communications team at OST. In this role he is responsible for leading OST’s brand strategy, marketing programs, market insights, and public relations. He has a passion for creating wild outcomes and experiences through his abilities to connect and strategize across the organization, and with customers, partners, and colleagues.
Michael also has a deep connection to service and can be found working with any number of the boards of directors he serves In 2013, 2015, and 2016 Michael was selected as one of Grand Rapids’ “Top 40 Under Forty” business and community leaders.
In less than a decade, Luis Alvarez has grown the Alvarez Technology Group from a small two-person consultancy to the premier IT solution provider on the California Central Coast, delivering IT services to more than 200 companies throughout the state. A visionary who never shies away from exploring exciting new technologies that might give his clients a competitive advantage, Alvarez specializes in working with executives and managers of small and mid-sized businesses, sharing his expertise by advising them on trends, analyzing their systems for improved performance and planning how IT can help achieve their business goals.
After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario, Jeremy joined the IT Weapons Arsenal in 2008. His passion for clear thinking and persuasive, honest messaging is what drives the company’s communications and marketing efforts. Facing outward, it's about engaging and educating the broader community of IT professionals, clients, and peers. Internally, it's about professional development within IT Weapons. Simply put, his team works to ensure everyone understands what IT Weapons does and why they do it.
Phillip Walker is CEO of Network Solutions Provider. He is responsible for all the company's Sales and marketing and business development, Walker was named to this position in Dec, 2009. Phillip Walker CEO of Network Solutions Provider. He has helped grow the company over 7700% Since he has joined NSP. In 2012 alone the company had a record breaking year of growth of over 2000%. Walker has received numerous awards for his leadership over his past 5 years at the helm of NSP, including the 2011 and 2012 Inc. Magazine's Top Ten Black Entrepreneurs. Walker takes an active role in corporate social responsibility initiatives worldwide. In addition, Walker has been widely recognized for his and NSP's philanthropic leadership, in creating a top corporate social responsibility program. Creating a launching several green tech, and job growth programs. Walker Started NSP in 2007 as VP sales and marketing, He assumed the role of President and CEO in 2009. Prior to joining NSP, Spent 15 years working in the telecommunications and Information technology industry.
David DeCamillis serves as vice president of sales and marketing for Platte River Networks. He focuses on keeping his company’s brand fresh and vibrant but also staying in front of prospects so Platte River can continue to grow. For two decades, DeCamillis worked in financial consulting and production in a wide range of industries. Starting in the late 1980s, he worked as a syndicate manager and consultant in private equity funding. After 12 years, DeCamillis transitioned into event production, working as an overseas concert promoter and producer in partnership with MTV Asia. In 2008, DeCamillis started his tenure as head of business development with Platte River before assuming his current role. Platte River has grown to become a leading national provider of IT managed services and has received numerous technology, service and growth awards. Outside of work, DeCamillis is an avid runner, biker, hiker, skier, reader and traveler. He enjoys public speaking and spending time at the beach and the mountains with his family.
George Pashardis is Regional Vice President of Sales for ePlus Technology, inc. a leading provider of integrated solution suites for enterprise networking, security, unified communications, data center and storage, and also offers complete IT sourcing and fulfillment services. ePlus Technology serves a side variety of organizations in both the public and private sectors, including the Fortune 500, Healthcare, Federal, State and Local Government, K12 and Higher Education, as well as many other vertical markets. The diverse set of IT solutions offered by ePlus Technology are complemented with a suite of on-demand supply chain solutions, a variety of leasing and financing services, and a range of Consulting expertise.
ePlus has been recognized by the Channel Company as one of North America's top technology integrators.
George brings over 25 years of experience in Sales & Marketing, with over 20 years in Sales Management to his role as Regional Vice President of Sales for ePlus Technology. George joined ePlus in May 2004 with ePlus’ acquisition of Manchester Technologies, where he was Director of Sales. Prior to Manchester, he served as Area Director for Elcom Intl.
George has served on several Advisory Boards in the past such as Comptia, Samsung, NEC, 3COM, Hewlett Packard and Lenovo and is also a former Member of the International Who’s Who of Information Technology. George is a current member of the Advisory Board for the Channel Company.
Allen Falcon is a technologist and entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the industry. Allen's background includes a unique history of software development and marketing, CIO-level consulting, and entrepreneurship. In 2006, Allen launched the firm no known as Cumulus Global, recognizing the need among small businesses for better managed IT services. Allen leads a team of cloud computing experts helping businesses, non-profits, schools, and local governments move to Google Apps and related cloud services. Allen and Cumulus have been recognized as an innovator by CRN and regional business media.
Ken Patterson has more than 20 years of IT and telecom experience that ranges from installation and troubleshooting, to managing an IT team to building an operations center. Patterson can accurately determine what solutions will work for each unique situation. He has a "fix the customer then fix the problem" mentality that allows him to see beyond all the confusion and get to the root of the problem. The end result is a solution that not only solves the issue at hand but allows for scalability into the future. Patterson has served in leadership positions with Corporate Telephone Services, Casserly Consulting and TeamLogicIT. For more than 12 years he served as the managing partner of Asys Technology Group.
John D. Head, chief evangelist at PSC Group, is a 20-year veteran of collaboration-application development. Head is a frequent speaker at technology events and works with companies to apply application modernization and mobilization to their business processes and applications. PSC Group, a professional services and information technology consulting firm, created the Application Modernization Center to apply a methodology to invested platforms and applications and bring mobile, cloud, social and analytics to business processes. He is a six time IBM Collaboration Solutions & Social Business Champion and an IBM Cloud Champion. Head is also active in the community outside of his work. He was on the executive board and the community outreach director for Chicago’s non-profit Lumity organization which helps the city and local businesses come together to provide STEM education. Head was also a member of the advisory board of the Leadership Circle of the Executives Club of Chicago. Currently he is a board member and secretary of the executive committee of the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, embracing the mission to empower women and eliminating racism by providing support to all women along various stages of their journeys.
Jason Rook is the Vice President of Alliances at 10th Magnitude where he is responsible for developing and executing on strategic relationships that deliver business transforming solutions to 10th Magnitude customers. A 19-year industry veteran, Rook has held a broad range of technical, sales, and channel roles. Prior to joining 10th Magnitude, he was the Director of US Azure Channel Sales at Microsoft where he led a team of sales professionals responsible for driving Microsoft Azure revenue across the US though a broad network of Systems Integrators, Cloud Software Vendors, and Managed Service Providers. Prior to Microsoft Azure, Rook was a Partner Territory Manager who was recognized as the top performing territory in Microsoft’s US Subsidiary and whose team was instrumental in building the early channel ecosystem for Office 365. Regardless of the position that he is in, it is obvious that Rook has a deep passion for helping customers and partners transform businesses through strategic technology innovation and relationships.
Chad provides project management expertise to the Patriots Honor Board of Directors. A highly skilled business leader, he leverages prior military experience as a U.S. Marine with a successful consulting firm career to bring commitment, invaluable perspective and strong community connections to the breadth of Patriots Honor programs.
“I’m ready to hit the ground running with Patriots Honor Organization,” said Chad. “My company, Enterprise Networking Solutions, Inc., has proudly supported Patriots Honor with donations from the proceeds of our annual golf tournament. It’s time to step up my personal involvement with this outstanding charity. Patriots Honor is doing good things for our injured military veterans and service members, and I want to personally be a part of that.”
Chad is a native of Sacramento, Ca. and a father to three amazing and talented children. He joined the Marine Corps in 1995, serving around the world as part the Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Forces. During service to his nation, Chad returned to school, earning a degree in Computer Applications and Networks from Coleman College, San Diego, Calif. In 2001, he returned to Sacramento to pursue a career in IT consulting.
Driven by a mission to share knowledge and empower his peers to recognize their full potential, Chad has been Vice President of Business Development at Enterprise Networking Solutions, Inc., since joining the business in 2006. As a skilled and diligent Project Manager and Systems Engineer in infrastructure technologies, Chad leverages more than 18 years of experience assessing needs, gathering requirements, and deploying systems in an Enterprise environment. Today, ENS-Inc, is an instrumental partner with the State of California, working to increase efficiency in IT by leveraging technology to do more, while reducing costs and increasing productivity.
In 2010, Chad founded HSB Solutions, and serves proudly as its President. HSB is a Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise. Providing staffing and hardware and software resell services to the State of California and larger firms looking for active participation from
Following his passion for fellow veterans, children and health, in 2013, he is founded The Urban Gym in Sacramento. This organization follows a simple premise, get outside and get active. All activities are free of charge and Chad considers this organization a small way for him to give back to his community and share the lessons he himself learned regarding fitness and healthy living.
A veteran with over 20 years working as an IT Solution Provider, Joe Ussia has built his reputation as a leader in the industry. Ussia has served on several industry advisory panels such as the Cisco T2 Channel Advisory Board, Cisco Global Marketing Advisory Panel and Associate Director for WAS. Joe is passionate about technology and how organizations leverage it to increase efficiencies and decrease operational costs while maintaining optimal security posture.
Joe Ussia has led some of the leading solution providers in Toronto Canada, with the past decade being at the helm of the award-winning Infinite IT Solutions (www.8it.ca). Under Ussia’s leadership, the firm has won several awards such as “CDN Top 100 Solution Providers”, “CRN Fast Growth 150”, “CRN Tech Elite 250”, “CRN NextGen 50”, “Cisco Customer Satisfaction Star of Excellence (2010-2017)”, “CDN Best Service Organization in Canada”, “CDN Best Solution Provider in Canada”, “CDN Best Security Solution in Canada”, “CDN Best Managed Services Solution in Canada” and more.
Joe Ussia is a scotch aficionado and loves talking about and sharing a scotch with fellow lovers of the spirit. He is also heavily involved with Swim Canada as a Level 3 FINA Official. Joe Ussia is also one of the three founders and co-hosts of the Podcast series “IT For Whiskey” (www.IT4Whiskey.com) that was designed from the ground up to help fellow MSP’s with insights, tips and tricks of the trade to grow their MSP business.
Michael Knight is the CTO at Encore Technology Group and responsible for company go-to-market strategies, technology and sales strategies, vendor relationships, technology partnerships, research and development, cloud building, enterprise architecture and consulting. Knight has been previously employed as the CTO and senior vice president at Computer Software Innovations, Inc. He has worked as the CTO of SDI Networks and as the CIO of American Control Systems, Inc., with over two decades of IT experience.
Stelios Valavanis is the founder and president of onShore Security. He currently serves on the boards of the ACLU of Illinois and We the People Media, and advisory committees for several other organizations. He has appeared as a guest lecturer and panelist for local colleges, non-profits, and various industry events. Stel graduated from the University of Chicago in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. Prior to founding onShore, Stel held a number of technical positions at the University of Chicago.
Stel’s love for things technical has spanned most of his life. By age 15, he was writing dBase code for a market research company, producing an analysis tool for sale to other marketing firms. He formed his first business in 1981, producing and distributing Apple II software packages. Stel also has been involved and remains active in many artistic projects, including audio CD recordings, video compilations, and interactive installations.
Frank Rauch is Vice President of VMware’s Americas Partner Organization. In this role, he is responsible for indirect routes to market for the Americas which include, Solution Providers, Corporate Resellers, Public Sector Partners, OEMs (Cisco, Dell, EMC, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Net App, VCE), System Integrators / System Outsourcers, and Distributors.
Prior to VMware Frank was HP’s Americas Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Channels. He also held VP roles in strategy and direct sales with HP. Frank started his career with IBM in sales and executive staff roles.
He and his teams have been recognized with over 40 channel awards. Frank has been personally recognized with 5 Channel Chief awards and has been ranked in the top 25 Channel Executives.
Frank is a graduate of Drexel University with degrees in Marketing and Computer Systems Management. He lives in the Philadelphia area and is active with youth ice hockey and on several non-profit boards.
Bob Skelley serves as The Channel Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his role as CEO, Bob led the company’s PartnerDemand Services group, providing demand generation and marketing services that drive revenue for both IT solution providers and vendors. Bob has over 20 years of experience in channel development, business development, sales and marketing. Prior to The Channel Company, Skelley held numerous channel executive positions including Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances for Infinio, Executive Director of North American Channel Sales for Dell, Global Vice President, Channel Strategy and Operations for EqualLogic and Director of U.S. Distribution and VAR Channel for Microsoft.
Brandon Kinsey is Owner & President of Kinsey Management, a management consulting firm specializing in organizational effectiveness and people analytics. With a social science and leadership background, Brandon has over 20 years of experience coaching individuals and teams, developing strategies and driving bottom-line results through relationships, team building and project management execution. His expertise lies within a variety of industries from sporting, construction, energy to government agencies.
Brandon holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. In 2016, Brandon expanded Kinsey Management and became a Certified Partner with The Predictive Index (PI). Brandon is a Master Certified Trainer of PI and has led experiential team building and leadership workshops with mid to senior-level executives. His passion lies in empowering leaders with the playbook to uniquely build their teams. Brandon believes that leadership and success is a process. Success comes from acquiring talent smartly, positioning your talent wisely, loading your roster with your high potentials, motivating each player uniquely, and aligning training with organizational goals.
As The NPD Group’s Executive Director in the company's B2B Technology Sector, Jana Munford manages relationships with leading global B2B vendors, distributors and national solution providers, who sell product through the channel. Munford has been with The NPD Group since 2009, working to provide clients and partners with data-driven insights regarding key trends in the B2B channel, which they can leverage to develop plans that allow them to grow and evolve with the market. Munford is responsible for ensuring that NPD’s technology product offerings support the B2B channel needs and development. She helps NPD to grow and adjust its services portfolio to align with client needs, such as recently launching a B2B software and cloud tracking service to provide a holistic view of some of the fastest growing products in the B2B channel. Prior to joining NPD, Munford was an industry analyst with more than 13 years' experience researching and presenting on key technology market trends for global electronics companies within the printing and supplies space, including HP Inc., Canon, Lexmark and Xerox.
Dropbox Partner Account Manager Rob Lai is responsible for channel and partnerships in the northern U.S. and Canada. Previously, he worked on global distribution for SMBs and in enterprise sales. Prior to Dropbox, he co-founded a Facebook platform company which built apps installed 100 million times and a freemium file-hosting site.
Joseph (Joe) Bassani retired from the United States Army as a colonel after nearly 28 years of service. He is an expert in strategy development, leader development/coaching, strategic communication and organizational change management.
In the years following the attacks of 9/11, he led the Department of Defense effort to develop a family of interagency/intergovernmental homeland defense plans. His efforts led to the formation of the CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force, an all-hazards response plan for the Washington DC Metropolitan area, a national pandemic preparation and response plan, as well as a number of sensitive, classified plans and programs. Bassani is a seasoned combat leader, having commanded at every level in the Army, from a platoon to brigade.
In his post-Army career, Bassani worked in the banking industry as Senior Vice President for Operation and Chief Information Officer for a commercial bank in the Philadelphia area. He has consulted for several Fortune 500 companies in technology (software and hardware manufacturing sectors), upstream, unconventional oil and gas exploration, global electronics distribution and healthcare.
Bassani holds a Master of Science degree from the National Defense University (Strategy), a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma (Communication) and a Bachelor of Arts degree (English) from Western New England University. He is a graduate of the Defense Information School and the National Defense University’s Joint Advanced Warfighting School. He also completed the Darden/SNL Executive Program in Bank Financial Leadership at The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.
Hodgkinson takes overall responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of Webinfinity. Since founding the business in 1998 Hodgkinson has led Webinfinity in its passion to use the power of the Internet to change the way businesses engage with their employees, partners and customers. After years of working with Fortune 100 companies around the world, Hodgkinson led the vision to build an online platform that would consumerize the enterprise content experience. And so, the Webinfinity platform was born--going live in the summer of 2014.
In less than a decade, Luis Alvarez has grown the Alvarez Technology Group from a small two-person consultancy to the premier IT solution provider on the California Central Coast, delivering IT services to more than 200 companies throughout the state. A visionary who never shies away from exploring exciting new technologies that might give his clients a competitive advantage, Alvarez specializes in working with executives and managers of small and mid-sized businesses, sharing his expertise by advising them on trends, analyzing their systems for improved performance and planning how IT can help achieve their business goals.
As The NPD Group’s Director of Industry Analysis for Commercial Technology, Michael Diamond offers expert analysis and commentary about the shifting commercial market. Through his focus on driving deeper insights with clients, Michael is improving core business-to-business (B2B) services and helping B2B clients navigate the channel more effectively.
Prior to joining NPD, Michael worked for Ingram Micro for 17 years in market and competitive intelligence, worldwide strategic planning, business intelligence, and North American strategic development. During his time at Ingram Micro, Michael was responsible for analyzing the competitive landscape, developing vendor and customer strategies, identifying trends in vertical and sub-vertical markets, and analyzing near-term and future technology trends. He also presented at vendor and customer-facing events to share industry insights.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Phoenix.
Derek Gabbard is an accomplished technology and security executive with more than 20 years' experience in information technology and computer and network security. As OPAQ’s SVP of partnerships and alliances, Gabbard leads the company’s channel initiatives and growth. He previously served as the president of FourV Systems, the innovator of GreySpark technology–a business intelligence system used for analyzing the compliance and automation maturity of information security operations. Gabbard also served as the CEO of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions, an industry leader in cyber threat intelligence serving the commercial, U.S. Federal civilian agencies and U.S. Defense Department and intelligence communities. Prior to LookingGlass, Gabbard served as senior member of the technical staff at the world-renowned CERT at Carnegie Mellon University. He developed a series of industry best practices for information security controls and processes as well as strategy and standards for cyber security program for the Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force. Gabbard started his career as a communications and computer systems officer in the Air Force, where he worked in support of tactical communications missions throughout Central and South America. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.
As president of The NPD Group’s U.S. B2B Technology practice, Kate Roe-Semyon leads the team in helping B2B brands, distributors, and resellers, leverage industry trends identified through market research to improve sales and better understand channel dynamics. As part of NPD’s U.S. technology leadership, Roe-Semyon is responsible for managing the B2B Technology practice’s efforts to build upon success and enhance service to clients and partners.
Roe-Semyon joined NPD in 2013 and spent three years in the technology sector collaborating with B2B and consumer manufacturers before taking on the position of vice president for NPD’s Sports practice. Prior to joining NPD, Roe-Semyon was a 20-year veteran in the technology industry. Her experience included 13 years in sales and marketing positions in distribution with Tech Data Corp. She also spent seven years with Lenovo, Iomega, and Buffalo Technology, partnering with major resellers including Dell, CDW, Insight, and Amazon. Roe-Semyon was recognized as one of CRN’s Women of the Channel for her success in the industry.
Chris Dixon, senior manager, State and Local Industry Analysis, conducts targeted research aimed at shedding light on the state and local IT markets, and ways for vendors to capitalize on procurement opportunities. In addition to investigating, evaluating, and tracking existing state and local trends, Dixon provides strategic research, analysis, market forecasting, and opportunity analysis.
Nick Heddy oversees the Pax8 sales and marketing teams, and processes.
Most recently, Heddy served as director of sales for Cbeyond, a national Cloud and Communications provider, where he played an integral role in the implementation of Cbeyond's highly successful sales model. He directed the daily activities in the Denver market, leading sales representatives, sales management, and support staff.
Heddy holds a BA in Entrepreneuring from Central Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Colorado Business School.
As the head of the channel program at ADT, Zack is responsible for the new partner growth, direction, and strategy of the channel program. Through his work in developing an enterprise-grade security suite for small and mid-size businesses, Zack has shown his passion about protecting businesses from cyber-attacks. Through his work directly with MSP’s, Zack has helped provide cyber security solutions for customers all through the U.S and Canada. Zack resides in Dallas, Texas, and has been with ADT for 5 years.
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.
Jas Sood is the Vice President of Small and Medium Business Sales for the United States and is responsible for driving sales and growth of the EG Portfolio through the SMB market.
Jas is a 22-year HPE veteran and has held leadership positions across a variety of HPE functions and business units. After graduating college, Sood began her career in the procurement function of the Test and Measurement division managing third-party supplier strategic contracts. Her next 17 years were spent in various finance roles of increasing responsibility where she supported supply chain, marketing, sales, and the P&L functions of the PC Division, Printing Division, Pointnext Services, as well as Enterprise Group.
After leaving finance, Sood subsequently served in the Americas HP Networking RBU as the sales operations leader where she drove pricing strategy, field sales enablement, business operations and implemented channel strategic growth programs. She has also served as the VP of GTM/Product Management for the AMS Hybrid IT RBU and was responsible for the GTM strategy of HPE’s Converged Systems and Cloud portfolio, field programs, NPI program management, product category management, and channel enablement.
Most recently, Sood was the vice president of business operations for the North America Data Center Hybrid Cloud Business and served as the sales leader for HPE Data Center Networking. In this capacity, Sood drove the integration of acquisitions, strategic pricing programs, sales enablement and business operations as well as sales across all business segments for the company's data center networking organization.
Sood holds a BA in Economics from the University of California at Irvine and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Her outside interests include supporting youth competitive soccer, weight training, running, Spartan racing, and in her down time supporting her favorite local sports teams--the 49ers, Giants, and Warriors.
Chad provides project management expertise to the Patriots Honor Board of Directors. A highly skilled business leader, he leverages prior military experience as a U.S. Marine with a successful consulting firm career to bring commitment, invaluable perspective and strong community connections to the breadth of Patriots Honor programs.
“I’m ready to hit the ground running with Patriots Honor Organization,” said Chad. “My company, Enterprise Networking Solutions, Inc., has proudly supported Patriots Honor with donations from the proceeds of our annual golf tournament. It’s time to step up my personal involvement with this outstanding charity. Patriots Honor is doing good things for our injured military veterans and service members, and I want to personally be a part of that.”
Chad is a native of Sacramento, Ca. and a father to three amazing and talented children. He joined the Marine Corps in 1995, serving around the world as part the Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Forces. During service to his nation, Chad returned to school, earning a degree in Computer Applications and Networks from Coleman College, San Diego, Calif. In 2001, he returned to Sacramento to pursue a career in IT consulting.
Driven by a mission to share knowledge and empower his peers to recognize their full potential, Chad has been Vice President of Business Development at Enterprise Networking Solutions, Inc., since joining the business in 2006. As a skilled and diligent Project Manager and Systems Engineer in infrastructure technologies, Chad leverages more than 18 years of experience assessing needs, gathering requirements, and deploying systems in an Enterprise environment. Today, ENS-Inc, is an instrumental partner with the State of California, working to increase efficiency in IT by leveraging technology to do more, while reducing costs and increasing productivity.
In 2010, Chad founded HSB Solutions, and serves proudly as its President. HSB is a Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise. Providing staffing and hardware and software resell services to the State of California and larger firms looking for active participation from
Following his passion for fellow veterans, children and health, in 2013, he is founded The Urban Gym in Sacramento. This organization follows a simple premise, get outside and get active. All activities are free of charge and Chad considers this organization a small way for him to give back to his community and share the lessons he himself learned regarding fitness and healthy living.
Tom Deierlein was recently named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year, Greater Washington and is the co-founder and current CEO of a ThunderCat Technology a systems integrator that specializes in data center solutions for the Federal government. Tom is a 1989 graduate of West Point, a successful serial entrepreneur, Airborne Ranger, and Wounded Warrior.
Although started only 9 years ago, the company is already ranked #69 on the SP500 and a 4 time member of the Tech Elite 250. ThunderCat has spent 5 years in a row on the Inc 5000, and was named by Forbes one of "America's Most Promising Companies". Tom started his career working in sales for Johnson & Johnson and Parametric Technology Corporation in the mid-90's.
A Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, Tom is a retired U.S. Army Major and Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet. In September 2006, he was shot by a sniper and critically wounded. Originally told he may never walk again he has since completed the Army Ten-Miler and two triathlons. He has been quoted and featured in Forbes, The New York Times, NBC Nightly News, Wall Street Journal, and FOX News.
In the Fall of 2006 he co-founded the Tom Deierlein Foundation www.tdfoundation.org which provides aid to children of wounded warriors and fallen heroes. They help American Veterans’ families in crisis. Tom is a Certified Peer Mentor with Wounded Warrior Project and USSOCOM Care Coalition. Tom earned a Masters of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1993 and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business in 2000. He lives with his wife Mary Beth and their three sons in Garden City, NY.
Jeannine Edwards serves as the senior director of channel marketing for StorageCraft, responsible for the strategy and execution for channel engagement and enablement in North America. She's passionate about representing the channel's interest in all things StorageCraft. This includes collaborative efforts around channel education and communication and ensuring partners are readied to sell and support StorageCraft's robust business continuity platform.
Prior to StorageCraft, Edwards served as the senior director, ConnectWise Platform and director, ConnectWise Community. In her platform role, Edwards ensured ConnectWise was a highly customizable application, enabling partners to extend and build upon it through robust APIs and a comprehensive software development kit. She was also responsible for the strategy and direction of the official ConnectWise vendor program, Invent, cultivating integration partner and vendor relationships, as well as the ConnectWise Marketplace. Edwards stepped into the platform role after positioning ConnectWise Community as a differentiator in the IT solution provider Channel.
She helped to transform IT Nation, the company’s annual customer event, to be one of the strongest and most-respected IT solution provider event platforms in the industry. In addition, Edwards launched the ConnectWise regional user groups, a global face-to-face networking strategy resulting in unparalleled customer engagement.
Edwards is a well-known figure in the IT industry. Her experience spans vendor program development, research analysis, two-tier distribution, and partner profitability within the channel community. Edwards has been recognized as a CRN Power 100 Women of the Channel five times, named as an MSP Mentor Locked in the NOC honoree, and included in the SMB PC Magazine SMB150 Power Players. Edwards holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida.
Ryan Walsh oversees the build-out of the Pax8 product portfolio and drives the market requirements and development of the Pax8 Command Console. Walsh served as vice president of product management for MX Logic, a cloud-based email and web security company that was acquired by McAfee in 2009. Following the acquisition, Walsh directed the product teams responsible for McAfee's portfolio of cloud-based email and web solutions for the content and cloud security division. He later led the product unification and hybrid cloud development effort for the company's web security product lines.
Walsh has dedicated his career to enabling business improvements with internet or IT-based solutions and startups. He started his career building a re-engineering practice at Deloitte & Touche in the consulting division. Walsh holds a BA in Business Economics from Colorado College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Cody Mercer is a Threat Intelligence Security Analyst at Malwarebytes. Prior to joining Malwarebytes, he worked in all sectors to include government, military, private, public, and founder of several start-ups. Additionally, Mercer served over 12 years in the U.S. Navy as a cryptographer and signal intelligence operator. As a certified ethical-hacker, he has spent the last several years participating in penetration testing, red/blue team operations, and Threat Intelligence development.
David DeCamillis serves as vice president of sales and marketing for Platte River Networks. He focuses on keeping his company’s brand fresh and vibrant but also staying in front of prospects so Platte River can continue to grow. For two decades, DeCamillis worked in financial consulting and production in a wide range of industries. Starting in the late 1980s, he worked as a syndicate manager and consultant in private equity funding. After 12 years, DeCamillis transitioned into event production, working as an overseas concert promoter and producer in partnership with MTV Asia. In 2008, DeCamillis started his tenure as head of business development with Platte River before assuming his current role. Platte River has grown to become a leading national provider of IT managed services and has received numerous technology, service and growth awards. Outside of work, DeCamillis is an avid runner, biker, hiker, skier, reader and traveler. He enjoys public speaking and spending time at the beach and the mountains with his family.
Topher Barrow joined ConnectWise in September 2010. He earned his bachelor’s in marketing from Florida State University. Barrow started in the support department and has held many job roles over the years including consultant, senior education consultant and senior product manager. His current role of product marketing manager keeps him busy evangelizing the ConnectWise brand and educating the revenue team on thought leadership and messaging.
As EVP and GM of CareWorx, Marco La Vecchia is responsible for the development and growth of its Managed Services strategy across the United States and Canada. Recognized for his pragmatic, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic thinking, Marco offers CareWorx and its customers progressive business development experience gained from a variety of positions and industry sectors. He champions a highly consultative approach to the CareWorx team. This includes education, training support, and marketing programs that extend beyond Managed Services and focus’ on broader strategies to grow the company.
In 2015, Marco was recognized as a CRN Channel Chief. In 2016 and 2017 Marco received an award for Executive of the Year in the Mid-Market space by the Channel Company.
As CEO, Mark Wyllie brings more than 30 years of senior management and sales experience to Flagship Solutions Group. In his current capacity, he is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the strategic and tactical direction of Flagship as well as the integration of services capabilities into responsive customer solutions. In addition, Wyllie is on the board of the South Florida Technology Alliance, a regional nonprofit focused on driving awareness of south Florida as a technology hub. In 2014, Flagship was awarded with IBM’s highest honor for a business partner, a Beacon Award for Outstanding Community Impact. This was the first time in IBM’s history a business partner was recognized for their community involvement.
Wyllie started his career with seven years at GAF Corp., progressing from sales representative to district manager. Included in his extensive background are key management roles with some of the nation’s most recognized computer and data management firms including Burroughs, NCR and Mail-Well Corp. Wyllie then moved to Champion Solutions Group for seven years as vice president of sales progressing to general manager of the Champion’s services division. Wyllie held the position of senior director at Mainline Information Systems where he had responsibility for the its services suppliers including IBM Global Services, disaster recovery and professional services. Prior to Flagship, Wyllie was COO for Compuquip Technologies, one of South Florida’s largest
John Vincent’s career in wireless data began two decades ago when single-function 900Mghz systems first became vogue. He quickly recognized the technology’s promise and transitioned into 802.11-based Wi-Fi networking; gaining experience in developing channels at two prominent vendors. Vincent joined Aerohive in 2014 and has worked to continually align go-to-market strategy with the changing needs of MSPs.
Mark Sher, Intermedia’s Vice President of Product and Marketing for Cloud Voice, is a 23-year telecom veteran. Mark leads Intermedia’s product marketing and product management for all cloud voice services for both indirect and direct channels. Prior to Intermedia, Mark held the position of vice president of marketing and product management for AccessLine Communications, a leader and innovator in the Hosted PBX and SIP Trunking space and an early telecom SaaS pioneer. With AccessLine, Mark directed the initiatives to develop and bring to market both Hosted PBX and SIP Trunking. Mark’s entire career has focused on delivering telecom services to businesses of all size with a focus on creating easy to purchase, easy use and easy support services. Mark has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Washington State University.
Todd Kimbriel, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Department of Information Resources and the State of Texas Chief Information Officer, came to public service in 2008 after serving over 25 years in the private sector. He is a lifelong information technology professional, having spent time in all aspects of technology including planning, design, operations, and management. His industry experience outside of public service includes telecommunications, aviation, retail, and import/export. As the CIO of the state of Texas, Kimbriel represents Texas nationally and collaborates with other states in advancing the role of technology in the public sector. Kimbriel graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor of science degree in finance.
Himanshu Verma joined WatchGuard in 2016 as director of product management, with a primary focus on delivering WatchGuard products and solutions to the managed security service provider market. Prior to WatchGuard, Verma held product management roles for the Enterprise Authentication-as-a-Service division of SafeNet (now Gemalto), a world leader in data protection. Verma has also held various roles in engineering and research and development, working on various information security and data protection technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science and Engineering.
George Pashardis is Regional Vice President of Sales for ePlus Technology, inc. a leading provider of integrated solution suites for enterprise networking, security, unified communications, data center and storage, and also offers complete IT sourcing and fulfillment services. ePlus Technology serves a side variety of organizations in both the public and private sectors, including the Fortune 500, Healthcare, Federal, State and Local Government, K12 and Higher Education, as well as many other vertical markets. The diverse set of IT solutions offered by ePlus Technology are complemented with a suite of on-demand supply chain solutions, a variety of leasing and financing services, and a range of Consulting expertise.
ePlus has been recognized by the Channel Company as one of North America's top technology integrators.
George brings over 25 years of experience in Sales & Marketing, with over 20 years in Sales Management to his role as Regional Vice President of Sales for ePlus Technology. George joined ePlus in May 2004 with ePlus’ acquisition of Manchester Technologies, where he was Director of Sales. Prior to Manchester, he served as Area Director for Elcom Intl.
George has served on several Advisory Boards in the past such as Comptia, Samsung, NEC, 3COM, Hewlett Packard and Lenovo and is also a former Member of the International Who’s Who of Information Technology. George is a current member of the Advisory Board for the Channel Company.
Jason Kimrey is the General Manager, U.S. Channel Scale and Partner Organization. He leads a national team responsible for working across the channel, including national solution providers, systems integrators, distributors and software partners. This team is responsible for delivering programs to help Intel partners increase their capabilities and build profitable practices to meet the evolving requirements of customers. Kimrey was previously Area Director for U.S. Federal at Intel. In this capacity, he led a business-development team responsible for working throughout the federal government to address mission requirements of defense and civilian agencies through the use of leading edge technologies. Kimrey has held various sales and marketing positions throughout his 18-year career at Intel. Prior to Intel, he worked extensively in the government and healthcare industries at EDS and N.Y. Life. He holds a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
Christopher Rigas serves as the HPE Business Development Manager at D&H Distribution. With a successful career in technical channel sales, Rigas offers all D&H channel partners his expertise in industry-leading HPE solutions for their datacenter requirements. Rigas operates as an extension of a solution provider's sales team and will co-sell with them to drive HPE business. Prior to joining D&H, Rigas served two tours in the U.S. Army as a Quick Reaction Force Combat Medic in Iraq.
Michael Lomonaco is the director of marketing and communications for OST. He joined the $160 million leading solution provider in 2011. Michael honed his marketing and communications skills while attending Michigan State University. His career has included positions in local, state and federal political and policy work, corporate and nonprofit consulting, and customer relations, public relations, and marketing in the manufacturing sector. These days, Michael leads the Marketing and Communications team at OST. In this role he is responsible for leading OST’s brand strategy, marketing programs, market insights, and public relations. He has a passion for creating wild outcomes and experiences through his abilities to connect and strategize across the organization, and with customers, partners, and colleagues.
Michael also has a deep connection to service and can be found working with any number of the boards of directors he serves In 2013, 2015, and 2016 Michael was selected as one of Grand Rapids’ “Top 40 Under Forty” business and community leaders.
Rick James is a national account manager for IT distribution accounts in the Power Quality Division of Eaton’s Electrical Sector. James is responsible for managing inventory levels, driving strategic alliance efforts and developing key relationships with executives, account managers and resellers alike. James is also responsible for Eaton providing the highest level of customer service to his accounts. Prior to his role as the national account manager, James served as a power quality engineer at Eaton–a technical whiz. James' expertise in product knowledge and his sales savvy have helped in succeed in record growth for three consecutive quarters. He is a dedicated to delivering business continuity through Eaton’s power management solutions. James is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Eric Roach is Intermedia’s Global Vice President of Field Channel Sales and Distribution. In this critical role, Eric is responsible for creating and leading the Company’s new Field Channel Sales team, as well as overseeing the management of the Distribution, Strategic Community, and Master Agent businesses. Lastly, Eric has management responsibility for Intermedia’s European business, based in the United Kingdom.
Roach is an industry veteran with nearly 25 years of experience in national and international channel-building success. Eric recently spent the last 10 years at Microsoft, demonstrating true impact and influence across multiple sales and management roles. Most recently as Global Account Director, Eric Roach was accountable for overseeing the growth, profitability, strategy and partner experience of Microsoft’s largest worldwide business partner, Ingram Micro. The scope of responsibilities included managing revenues of $2.5b annually across 45 countries. Previously, Eric managed the sales teams for multiple Partner Team Units (PTU’s) in the US Subsidiary. He holds the honor of being a three-time Microsoft Circle of Excellence winner, as well as a 100% Achievers Club member in seven of his 10 years with the company.
Chris Laping has been engaging audiences with disruptive ideas on innovation and roller coaster storytelling. Now, he is hitting the stage as author of his debut book, People Before Things, to take audiences on a journey that focuses on how great organizations take care of people and inspire a culture of change. Prior to founding People Before Things, LLC, Chris served as SVP, Business Transformation and CIO at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. In these roles, he was a highly contributing member of a management team that completed a successful turnaround, taking the company from an $8 stock price to $89 in just a few years. Chris has 25 years of technology and change leadership experience across multiple brands and industries and has been widely recognized for his innovative thought leadership. He was named a Top 5 Social Business Leader by The Economist, Social Business Technology Leader by InformationWeek and Premier 100 IT Leader by Computerworld. The work of the teams he led has been spotlighted in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fast Company and CIO Magazine, among others.
Bryan Ferren has led high-growth software, IT and B2B companies to success for more than 25 years. As Zift’s chief revenue officer, he is focused on redefining the channel technology landscape via enterprise channel management. A proven business operations, sales and international business development pro, Ferren joined Zift after working with SmartPath and Aprimo, where he managed strategic accounts with Intel, Target, CitiGroup and Nestle.
Chris Bennett is a performance improvement consultant & coach. He is a leading facilitator in North America on human potential sales, problem solving and sales management effectiveness. Bennett has helped RBC, Telus, Shaw Communications, Bell, Cisco, Soft Choice, Great West Life, AT&T, Allstream and others improve their skills and financial results. His practical, proven approach is focused on producing massive, measurable financial impact. Bennett is committed to his own on-going journey of being the best he can be while helping and inspiring others on their own paths toward fulfillment and peak performance.
Glenn O'Donnell, who serves infrastructure & operations professionals, is widely regarded as a top thought leader in IT service management, operations and the broader social implications of technology evolution. O'Donnell's specialties are in data center automation and operational excellence. He is the co-author of "The CMDB Imperative," which explores best practices in configuration management databases. Prior to joining Forrester, O'Donnell was a major force in transforming EMC's resource management software business as a marketing lead and strategic contributor. He also served as an IT operations analyst at the Meta Group. Most of his career encompassed 21 years in various companies within the Bell System including Western Electric, Bell Labs, AT&T, and, finally, Lucent Technologies, where he held increasingly influential roles in technology development, IT operations, and enterprise architecture. O'Donnell studied electrical engineering at Lincoln Technical Institute and computer science at Moravian College.
Stephan Tallent brings over 17 years of managed services and information security experience to Fortinet, having spent the last 13 years building managed security service practices within several different types of service provider businesses. Prior to Fortinet, Tallent supported product development, technical design and sales support operations at telecommunications providers Logix and Masergy. He also held sales and marketing leadership roles at ANX and Iomega (acquired by EMC), and was co-founder and chief architect of managed security services at a successful value-add reseller turned MSSP.
Tallent has excelled in telecommunications, technology integration and government cyber-security communities by capitalizing on a flexible blend of technical and business development skills and an ability to balance strategic and tactical initiatives to profitably build shareholder value.
Leveraging this experience and wielding best in breed security technology, Tallent focuses on developing best-practice based MSSP programs that encompass architecture, product development, training, go-to-market strategies and sales operations.
Tallent founded Fortinet’s Veterans program and actively promotes veterans' transitions into the cyber security industry. He has presented at numerous security conferences and has written various industry articles and whitepapers. He is a Certified Information System Security Professional and a Fortinet Certified Network Security Professional.
The Big Shift: Expanding Horizons
Solution providers who place innovation and creativity at the heart of their business are participating in an era of unrivaled expansion — some call it the great channel expansion. To continue growing, these solution providers are investing in new services and value streams developed to meet the needs of today’s customers.
In addition, partners are concentrating on competitive differentiation. They are shifting their business models, embracing new managed services, software and service offerings, while identifying new markets to penetrate.
These journeys of growth — like frenetic amusement park rides — leave everyone with a story to share. These are tales of business and tech success. For partners looking to maintain the momentum or kickstart their expansion, XChange 2018 will provide a platform to broaden their horizons and envision the possibilities as they take on the challenges of tomorrow.
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Access CRN Coverage on XChange 2017 here.
XChange's ever-evolving and unmatched agenda has kept thousands of top executives from leading organizations coming back for the past two decades. These decision makers converge to learn and grow from peers, thought leaders and analysts. The actionable agenda focuses on the products, programs and business models making the biggest impact on the channel today.
Network. Strengthen relationships with your peers, technology vendors and respected industry analysts.
Discover. Hear about the latest technology solutions and services available.
Be Informed. Learn the latest industry trends and predictions directly from the experts.
Close More Business. Make the connections and get the competitive intelligence you need to drive revenue.
Channel@Work is our way of giving back to the community that has given us so much over the past three decades. This charitable arm of The Channel Company’s events group is designed to bring the IT community together to connect and give back to the local communities that host our events. For questions about this great initiative, please contact Allison Cohen, Event Director acohen@thechannelco.com
This year’s Channel@Work program is named Project Wonderland! We will be partnering with an amazing organization called Work Out Help Out in conjunction with The Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland on Saturday, August 18th in San Antonio, TX just before the kick off of the XChange Conference.
The Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland is the fulfillment of a long-term vision and dream for the education of children in San Antonio. They strive to prepare these individuals for a meaningful life by giving them both academic and practical skills. In addition, Work Out Help Out will bring a fun new element to this year’s project by encouraging engagement, incorporating exercise into your volunteer experience and developing your own personal wellness. This year our project underwriting sponsors are Intermedia and Dell EMC.
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