Intel Security Shuffles Channel Leadership, Names New Americas Channel Chief

2015 was a year of change for Intel Security, one in which it rolled out a new strategic direction and shed multiple business lines. Now, the security vendor has ushered in a refreshed leadership team that it says will help it execute on those changes in the year to come.

’It’s a new year. It’s an exciting year for Intel Security,’ said Richard Steranka, senior vice president of global channel operations, in an interview with CRN.

As previously reported by CRN, former vice president of worldwide partner programs, marketing and operations Lisa Matherly will now serve as head of content marketing, part of a push by the vendor’s new CMO, Allison Cerra, to put increased emphasis on content marketing. Fernando Quintero, formerly vice president of Americas channel sales and operations, is now head of Latin America.

[Related: 10 Things Partners Need To Know About Intel Security's New Strategy]

Matherly has been replaced by Regan Ogner, the company said, who previously served as senior director of channel marketing for North America.

The company also told CRN that Quintero has been replaced by longtime Intel Security executive Ken McCray, who will now serve as head of channel sales and operations for the Americas. McCray previously served as senior director of the Americas Channel team, overseeing corporate resellers, distribution partners and the inside channel account team.

Steranka said that the management changes will help provide stability for the channel as the Santa Clara, Calif.-based security vendor pivots to its new strategy, unveiled in October, centered around the pillars of protection, detection and correction. However, Steranka said partners shouldn’t feel that those changes, particularly those of popular channel executives Matherly and Quintero, point to a lack of focus or investment in the channel.

’We want to reassure partners that we are first and foremost committed to the channel,’ Steranka said. ’In no way do these changes signal a lack of intention or lack of commitment to our partners.’

A 22-year channel executive, McCray said his appointment should also serve to reassure partners.

’I think that there’s going to be a calming there. I don’t think that there will be a lot of unrest. Of course, they will ask questions but I think they will believe in what I’m going to do,’ McCray said in an interview with CRN.

Now that he has assumed the Americas channel chief role, McCray said he is taking some time to focus on talking to partners and listening to what they would like to see from Intel Security in the coming months and years.

Mark Miller, principal at M&S Technologies, a Dallas-based Intel Security partner, said he has known McCray for a long time and sat down with him just last week. Miller said he thinks appointing McCray to the Americas channel chief role is a ’great move’ for Intel Security, citing McCray’s even-keeled personality and history with the company.

’We feel like Ken McCray is a good choice for that position. … I think he’s a great fit,’ Miller said.