The 25 Most Innovative Executives Of 2010
The Cutting Edge
From cloud computing to security to unified communications, CRN ranks the 25 most innovative executives finding new ways to bring hot technology and services opportunities to the channel. Here's a look at who made the cut in part 2 of our Top 100 Executives Of 2010 list.
1. Adam Famularo, GM, Cloud Customer Solutions Unit, CA Technologies
Famularo is behind the cloud offensive from an old-guard company that is looking more avant-garde every day. He’s already delivered solid results for CA’s storage products unit. Now he’s setting his sights on putting partners into the cloud and uniting CA’s six cloud acquisitions in the past 14 months under one umbrella. His first major cloud move—a new MSP program around CA’s 3Tera AppLogic cloud platform—was a slam-dunk. Partners say that Famularo is the right executive at the right time.
2. Tony Bates, CEO, Skype
His move from Cisco to Skype earlier this year is a major win for Skype partners. He has the technical vision and channel chops to transform the company into one of the most important this century.
3. Eva Chen, CEO, Trend Micro
Her leadership has kept Trend at the top of the innovation pyramid. Now she’s staking out cloud leadership with a new server security service that covers app layer and virtualized offerings.
4. Miroslav Trnka, CEO, ESET
No one has delivered better technology to snuff out viruses. For 20 years, no one has come close. He’s got the technical know-how and channel commitment.
5. Bob Skelley, Director, Global Enterprise Architecture, Global Commercial Channels, Dell
His tight partner relationships have powered big enterprise gains, including a CRN Annual Report Card award for midrange high-end servers.
6. Danny Windham, CEO, Digium
He is a partner committed CEO who has made all the right moves to bring Digium’s open-source telephony solutions to businesses of all sizes and significantly expanded its partner base.
7. Emmet Tydings, President, AB&T Telecom
He’s done an incredible job of delivering a comprehensive and profitable line of telecom services to partners. Now he’s pushing the cloud envelope, letting partners sell subscription services.
8. Selina Lo, President, CEO, Ruckus Wireless
She’s driving astronomical sales and profit by doing what’s right for partners. Lo rolled out a new volume incentive and stepped up its health-care offensive. Bet on her continuing to push the envelope.
9. BJ Schaknowski, Director, Solution Provider Channel, Intuit
He has developed ties with a diverse group of channel partners from accountants to ISPs. He also established a partner council and ISP Summit and sped up commission payments.
10. Ed Basart, Co-founder, CTO, ShoreTel
He played a key role in the high profile Agito Networks acquisition, bringing mobile convergence capabilities to ShoreTel. He’ll be on his game for a ShoreTel smartphone push in 2011.
11. Praerit Garg, Bassam Tabbara, Co-Founders, Symform
These two Microsoft expatriates are technology visionaries. They’ve delivered a revolutionary cloud storage platform—a sort of cooperative storage exchange—at a startling price point.
12. Russell Hunt, Regional Business Manager, Document Imaging, Business Solutions and Services Group, Kodak
He’s got Kodak looking good and is providing partners with a powerful portfolio of multi vendor services in document imaging, storage and retail.
13. Mike Lazaridis, President, Co-CEO, Research In Motion
He’s delivered a ton of hot new mobile products and functionality, including the BlackBerry PlayBook—a breakthrough business tablet sporting a 7-inch wide screen that features enterprise integration and Flash 10.1 integration.
14. Tom Racca, President, CEO, Burstpoint
He has brought to market a game-changing IP-based video communications platform that enables super-fast video streaming. And he’s brought it with a 100 percent indirect channel sales model.
15. Greg Kalman, MSSI VP, North America WNS Channels, Enterprise Mobility Solutions, Motorola
He is the force bringing product/channel innovation to partners. He has improved deal registration and brought Motorola’s mobility services platform support to iPhone and Android.
16. Ihab Abu- Hakima, President, CEO, Meru Networks
He upped the ante in the wired to wireless game with new security and management tools to go with Meru's virtualized architecture. He also brought in new channel talent.
17. Tom Georgens, President, CEO, NetApp
He continues to innovate with leading storage technology and unparalleled channel commitment. Channel sales hit a new record under his watch. Georgens says it’s all about focus.
18. Akash Saraf, CEO, Zenith Infotech
He’s delivered more opportunities for partners to make more money in the managed services market, adding breakthrough SmartStyle computing cloud solutions and Vu Telepresence video conferencing.
19. Andy Miller, President, CEO, Polycom
He led Tandberg to the promised land. Now he’s doing it for Polycom with new products and partnerships like an IBM Lotus Sametime deal. Partners say Miller is making it happen.
20. Ken Xie, President, CEO, Fortinet
He’s the king of network security appliances and a two-year running CRN Annual Report Card winner. He added channel managers when others were cutting back. Partners love the products.
21. Michael Gold, CEO, Zlago
He is a cloud/hosted solution guru providing a hosted desktop in the cloud with 100 percent solution provider commitment (including VAR branding). He is looking to expand Zlago’s channel footprint with a deal with Synnex.
22. Juan Santana, CEO, Panda Security
He’s giving larger competitors fits with cutting-edge products backed up with partner commitment and marketing muscle. He has raised Panda Security’s visibility and built significant cloud antivirus market share.
23. Jason Donahue, CEO, Acronis
He has delivered unheard of simplicity and bang for the buck in backup/disaster recovery. His engineering commitment has paid off in market leading VMware support and cloud-based disaster recovery.
24. Matt Fogelgren, Director, North American Channels, Sophos
He’s been busy rolling out MSP initiatives. Look for him to bring more polish to one of the top partner programs in the business. Cash infusion is providing even more technology/channel muscle.
25. Arnie Bellini, CEO, ConnectWise
He has provided the platform technology, sweat, blood and inspiration to power SMB VARs to higher ground. Now he has set up a fund to bring innovative channel-only products to market. He’s the Knute Rockne of the channel.
For more of the 100 Top Executives Of 2010, see part 1 of our list, The 25 Most Influential Executives Of 2010.