Press Releases

Group is focused on promoting the business value of the technology channel

Downers Grove, Ill. – CompTIA, the leading trade association for the global information technology (IT) industry, today announced that 22 top executives from all corners of the IT industry are serving on its Channel Development Advisory Council.

The council is tasked with promoting the business value that the IT channel brings to the broader tech industry.

“The IT channel has long been the primary conduit that enables technology manufacturers to bring their products to the business marketplace,” said Annette Taber, senior vice president for industry outreach at CompTIA.

“Evolving business models, the arrival of new market entrants, changes in customer buying patterns, and the emergence of new technology solutions have changed the competitive landscape,” Taber continued. “While these changes haven’t diminished the need for the channel, they have created a void in education and relationships. Our Channel Development Advisory Council is creating new educational programs for emerging technology vendors and SaaS firms to help them better understand the value of the channel, assess their company’s channel readiness, and provide instructional playbooks on how to build a channel strategy.”

Council members represent hardware manufacturers, software publishers, services organizations, distributors, telecommunications companies and technology solution providers.

Named as co-chairs of the council are Jason Bystrak, D&H Distributing, and Robert McFarlane, Sirius Computer Solutions. Juan Fernandez of ImageNet Consulting, LLC, is the council’s vice chair.

Other industry leaders serving on the CompTIA Channel Development Advisory Council are Aaron Acker, SmartSource Inc.; Tim Acker, T-Mobile; David Beagle, Ooma, Inc.; Mike Bettilyon, Telarus; Jonathan Blakey, The 20 MSP Group; Kim Cesena, Intermedia.net, Inc.; Becky Connolly, Hewlett Packard; and Greg Filardi, Red Hat.

Also, Tony Francisco, CloudPlus; Cindy Herndon, Riverbed Technology; David Landsberger, Telecom Brokerage Inc.; Nate Olsen, Insperity; Salvatore Patalano, MindMatrix; Daniel Pfeiffer, OrionVM; Eric Pinto, SOCSoter, Inc.; Tamara Prazak, AppGate; Adam Slutskin, Liongard, Inc.; Ryan Walsh, Pax8, Inc.; and Scott Young, SYNNEX Corporation.

The Channel Development Advisory Council, formerly known as the Channel Advisory Board, collaborates with six other CompTIA advisory councils to identify relevant industry trends that open new business opportunities for the channel; refine industry best practice standards; and promote greater adoption and expansion of emerging technologies.

To learn more about CompTIA’s advisory councils and communities visit https://www.comptia.org/membership/communities-and-councils.

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About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.

Contact:

Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
630-678-8468
sostrowski@comptia.org­
www.comptia.org