Intel Channel Chief Dallman To Retire

Intel's global channel chief Steve Dallman is set to retire, CRN has learned.

Dallman, who currently serves as vice president and general manager of Intel's Original Design Manufacturing Channel Engagement business, will leave the company at the end of next month, according to an internal memo Dallman sent to Intel staff members. Dallman first joined Intel in 1979 as a field sales engineer and has held a number of executive roles, most recently as general manager of Intel's worldwide Reseller Channel Organization (RCO).

"I wanted to personally reach out to all the RCO teams to tell you that, after 35 years at Intel, I will be retiring," the memo read. "This is obviously a big decision, both personally and professionally, but I feel the timing is right, and RCO will be in good hands moving forward."

[Related: Intel's Plan To Resuscitate The PC System Builder Channel ]

According to the memo, Intel has spent the past 18 months working on a transition plan for the RCO, which includes Intel channel executive Maurits Tichelman taking over Dallman's duties. Tichelman previously served as director of distribution and reseller channel operations for Intel's EMEA business for many years before being named co-general manager of RCO with Dallman in late 2012.

Intel, headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., confirmed Dallman's retirement plan.

Before taking over as head of Intel's Worldwide RCO, Dallman served as director of channel sales and marketing for North America for several years and served as head of distribution sales for the Americas. Dallman, who was recently named as one of the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs this year by CRN, earned a reputation with VARs and system builders over years as a straight shooter and a dedicated supporter of Intel partners.

"He's a great guy, a great channel advocate, and a great friend to many partners like us," said Todd Swank, senior director of product marketing at Equus. "He's an old-school channel executive who was always direct and never gave partners any BS."

Swank also said Dallman had distinguished himself in recent years as a staunch advocate of the custom systems channel, working hard to help system builders adapt to market changes and new technology. "He was a big champion of the system builder and always believed in the business," Swank said. "It's sad to see him go, but hopefully Intel will be able to continue the work he was doing with partners."

PUBLISHED MARCH 12, 2014