Axcient Names New VP Of Channels, Distribution

Axcient has appointed a 20-year channel veteran with a strong reputation for business transformation as one of its top channel executives.

As Axcient’s new vice president and head of worldwide channels and distribution, Gina Thompson will be responsible for developing strategic alliances and driving increased adoption of Axcient’s business availability suite in the IT channel, the company said. She replaces Jason Bystrak, who joined D&H Distributing in February as the vice president of its cloud business unit.

Thompson’s 90-day goals include evaluating what’s working, instituting multi-vendor programs, and establishing an internal expansion plan, she said in an interview with CRN.

“Consumer buying patterns are changing, and there is an opportunity to meet those needs through multi-vendor and e-commerce platform integrations,” she said. “By leveraging digital technology, you can improve the partner’s experience and better address their buying needs. There is an opportunity to up-sell existing partners and attract a new partner base with automation and by providing an ease of doing business for today’s consumer.”

[Related: Axcient Taps Webroot Exec David Bennett As CEO]

Thompson said through the channel, Axcient has an opportunity to align with the partner’s business goals by providing value-as-a-service through technology. This includes understanding who the technology buyer is today and the business decision maker, as well as keeping an eye on security, she said.

“Security continues to grow and continues to become more complicated for end users,” she said. “End users are turning to MSPs who can provide the expertise … Axcient is 100 percent focused on and committed to the IT channel. Axcient has proven its commitment by heavily investing in the channel, listening to the MSPs and providing a full product suite that meets the end customers’ demands. They are also providing profitable margins and fueling growth for the MSP.”

Thompson most recently led Business Transformation in Ingram Micro’s Cloud business unit where she worked with key stakeholders from different parts of the business and geographies to assess where programs needed to be built or improved to support accelerated growth.

“Gina brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Axcient, and we are excited to welcome her to the team,” Jeff Cummings, Chief Revenue Officer at Axcient said in a statement. “This announcement reaffirms our commitment to the IT channel and our focus on helping our partners elevate their go-to-market strategies with Axcient’s suite of leading cloud solutions. As a change agent in the industry with a proven ability to provide leadership during transformational market changes, we look forward to the growth and impact Gina will have in her new role.”

Thompson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from State University of New York College at Buffalo and an MBA from Canisius College.