Trend Micro's Reynolds To Head Global Channels At Palo Alto Networks
Reynolds maintained that her decision to leave was based on a personal desire to forward her career by taking an opportunity to "go worldwide."
"Channel is in my DNA," said Reynolds. "It's really about opportunity. It was my decision to go toward an opportunity, not just run away from something."
Reynolds departure follows close on the heels of some Trend Micro channel successes -- the most recent of which was accepting the Everything Channel Annual Report Card award for Overall Winner and Company of the Year in the category of Network Security Software.
Reynolds said that she will stay with Trend Micro until the end of the quarter, and "leave on a high note." Subsequently, Tom Miller, Trend Micro general manager of its business unit, will take over her duties as the interim channel chief until a replacement can be found. Miller said that he hopes to settle on a replacement in the next four to eight weeks.
Reynolds said that while her colleagues were surprised, many of them have been supportive of her decision to move on.
"It was really a tough decision," said Reynolds. "It was time for the next step in my career. I want to make a difference no matter where I go."
Reynolds is following former Trend Micro Executive Vice President for Global Sales Lane Bess, who also left the company to become CEO of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Palo Alto Networks in mid-July.
Reynolds said that she hoped to significantly accelerate the Silicon Valley start up's "revenue and reach," which she is hoping will be an ARC winner in the next three to five years.
Meanwhile, several Trend Micro partners maintained that Reynold's departure from the company likely wouldn't have a huge impact on their business.
"Nancy wasn't a highly prolific person from what I saw," said Roy Miehe, CEO of AAAntivirus based in Campbell, Calif. "It's not going to affect us much at all. It will probably create a little havoc down there."
One partner said that Reynold's resignation was likely a simple professional decision, with little reason for alarm.
"You sometimes wonder what's going on behind the scenes, but I think it's business as usual," said Bill Calderwood, president of The Root Group, based in Boulder, Colo. "She's following someone she worked with at Trend. I don't see it as a big deal -- just something that happens in business. We're not expecting a whole lot of fallout from that."