Dell Sales Leader, Former Channel Chief John Byrne Steps Down

'He was definitely very engaged. He was a guy you wanted to go out and have a drink with and talk to. Definitely a loss there,’ said Michael Goldstein, president and CEO of LAN Infotech, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Dell partner.

Dell Technologies’ longtime sales leader and former channel chief John Byrne is stepping aside as president of sales, global regions and Dell Technologies Select after a nearly 10-year run at the company.

Beginning Feb. 1, Byrne’s team will report to Dell Technologies President of Global Sales and Customer Operations Bill Scannell, Dell said in a statement.

“Life is astonishingly short, and my family has always been what matters most - it is my legacy, and time is my investment,” said Byrne Thursday on LinkedIn. “For now, until any future endeavors, I will give my time to our family’s daily rhythms and experience our lives and this world together.”

A fierce channel advocate, Byrne played a pivotal role as channel chief starting in 2016, bringing together the Dell and EMC channel programs after Dell acquired EMC for $67 billion in what was the largest IT acquisition ever at the time. He moved into a new job as Dell’s North America sales leader in 2017 and from there ascended to other North America and global executive sales roles.

Channel partners from across the country told CRN that Byrne had an affable style, and a piercing analysis of the market that made him a trusted advisor to MSPs of all sizes.

“We were trying to navigate the new demand for AI, where the channel fits into Dell’s strategy, and where the largest opportunities were,” Gary McConnell, CEO of VirtuIT, a Dell platinum partner, told CRN. “One thing I distinctly remember is he was able to provide clarity backed with data as to what Dell was seeing and where partners fit into that picture.”

Michael Goldstein, president and CEO of LAN Infotech, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Dell partner, interacted with Byrne during his time as channel chief.

“He was definitely very engaged. He was a guy you wanted to go out and have a drink with and talk to. Definitely a loss there.”

Goldstein, a longtime Dell partner said he believes this is simply a change in personnel and not a more significant structural change to Dell’s sales.

“We’re all going through these changes in times. It’s a super competitive space. He is a very nice guy,” Goldstein told CRN. “Dell is going to be coming up on a big year with the end of life of Windows 10. I don’t think there’s going to be too much ‘Rocking the boat’ in the channel. We’re all going to have to deal with this.”

In a company statement Dell Technologies said beginning Feb. 1, Byrne’s team will report to Dell Technologies President of Global Sales and Customer Operations Bill Scannell.

Byrne worked at AMD for eight years, where he was elevated to senior vice president and general manager in charge of 2,000 people, reporting to CEO Lisa Su. He left in March 2015 to take a job at Dell.

In 2016, CRN reported that Byrne was brought into Dell on the advice of Chief Integration Officer Rory Read, who had previously worked with Byrne at AMD. Byrne joined the Round Rock, Texas-based company as global vice president of sales strategy and operations. A few months later Dell added channels to his title, with Cheryl Cook, then, vice president of global channels and alliances.

Over the last nine years, at the Round Rock, Texas computer maker, Byrne has led channel sales, then North American commercial sales, and was eventually named President, Sales, Global Regions and Dell Technologies.

Byrne regularly appeared on stage at Dell Technologies World and at Dell events worldwide. He thanked Dell Technologies founder, chairman and CEO Michael Dell, vice chairman and COO Jeff Clarke, and Scannell in his farewell note.

“The future of Dell Technologies is so bright, and I can’t wait to see the incredible impact the company will make in the years to come,” he stated. “It’s been an extraordinary journey and an absolute pleasure.”

Under Byrne’s LinkedIn message, Bill Swales, Lenovo vice president of U.S. commercial sales and former vice president and channel chief with VMware, wished Byrne luck on his next chapter.

“What a privilege to have both partnered and worked with you over the years,” Swales wrote. “Your core values, your wisdom and your energy have always inspired me.”

Dell’s former channel chief, Cheryl Cook, wrote under Byrne’s post that he is “one of the good guys!”

“Wishing you only the best, and continued success in whatever you pursue! Enjoy the family time!” she wrote. “Working with you will always be highlight! You’re one of the best, and one of the good guys!”

Meanwhile Andrew Brown, senior vice president and CRO with Red Hat, said he expected the two could see each other at Scottish Professional Football League matches.

“Good luck, John,” he wrote. “May bump into you on the terraces/stands of the SPFL.”