Channel Veteran Thomas Jensen Is Leaving HP
Thomas Jensen, a 15 year HP channel veteran who has played a critical role in driving partner sales momentum for the PC and printer behemoth, is leaving the company to focus on new opportunities.
Jensen, who for the last three years has helped sharpen the PC and printer giant focus on partners as head of worldwide channel sales strategy, informed partners of his plan to "pursue new paths" in an email obtained by CRN.
"It has been a privilege to have been part of so many facets of HP, but after 15 plus years over two tenures, I feel it is a good time to pursue new paths," he wrote in an email sent to "friends" in the partner community.
"I have been with HP in the Nordics and Europe – worked on merging the print and PC business in Denmark," said Jensen in the email reflecting on his HP journey. "Later, moving to the US and being part of the unique experience of separating the company and participating in setting us out for success as HP Inc. and finally, taking part in defining the path forward towards 2020 & 2025. This is the right and best time for me to move on to something new."
CRN reached out to HP for comment but had not heard back at press time.
Partners said Jensen was a big booster of the channel business model, establishing tight ties with partners throughout the world.
Mark Romanowski, executive vice president for Agilant Solutions Inc., the global digital transformation specialist headquartered in Port Washington, N.Y., said Jensen played a big role in driving channel success for HP.
"He was and is very respected in the channel," said Romanowski, who worked closely with Jensen on HP's Partner Advisory Council. "He was the face of the channel for HP and did a lot of good work for partners. Thomas was the liason, the glue that kept the HP channel together. He had a very big impact on the channel and the entire HP community."
Jensen deserves credit for helping to ensure the HP channel did not miss a beat during the split from Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015."Thomas was instrumental in making sure the split went well for partners," said Romanowski. "He was in the thick of that split which helped ensure that there was a sharp focus on printing, PC compute and managed print for HP as a separate company."
Romanowski said Jensen became a good friend who had after 15 years at HP was looking for a change."He accomplished great things with HP and felt it was time to move on," said Romanowski. "Over those 15 years, Thomas traveled all over the world for HP developing new programs for partners. That takes a lot of work. Kudos for him. He did a wonderful job. All of us in the partner community will miss him and wish him the best."
Bruno Tirone, president and CEO of MRA International Inc., a Long Branch, New Jersey HP Inc. partner, said Jensen had become a good friend. "As far as I am concerned he was more of a friend than a business associate," said Tirone. "I wish him well and look forward to staying in touch with him in the future."
Harry Zarek, CEO of Compugen, one of HP's top enterprise partners, No. 62 on the CRN 2017 Solution Provider 500, told CRN in an email that Jensen was a seasoned channel executive who "truly understands the channel business model and where our value is.He has represented us well inside HP Since the separation, the company has become much more collaborative, open and engaging. Thomas was a great enabler of the new style."
Ken Lamneck, CEO of Insight Enterprises, the national $6.7 billion solution provider behemoth, No.12 on CRN SP500, told CRN in an email that Jensen will be missed by channel partners. "He has been an outstanding advocate for the channel globally and has helped position HP Inc. exceedingly well," wrote Lamneck. "Hewlett Packard Inc. is completely partner centric and Thomas ensured the issues were always front and center."
Partners said Jensen, whose last day at HP is Aug. 20, has expressed a wish to play a bigger role as a non executive board member and special advisor to IT providers.
Jensen is currently a non executive board member for PS Final OY, a boutique IT consulting firm in Finland, according to his Linkedin page.
Furthermore, Jensen is also a special advisor to Milpitas, Calif. headquartered noHold Inc., an AI chatbot knowledge platform used to drive sales growth.
CRN reached out to Jensen who confirmed that he is leaving HP. "HP is one of the best companies in the world," he said. "I take a lot of pride in knowing I worked for HP for 15 fantastic years. I look back on those 15 years with great pride and joy. I am absolutely thrilled to have been part of the HP journey through the separation, helping to set up the company for a successful future with the channel."
Jensen said HP will always remain in his heart and soul as one of the great all time companies in the IT industry. "I am certain HP will continue its current momentum and continue to win in the marketplace," he said.