The Future Is Now: CompTIA Recognizes Five IT ChannelChangers

Future IT Channel Leaders will be Honored at ChannelCon 2014

Five future leaders from the information technology (IT) industry channel have been recognized as ChannelChangers by CompTIA, the IT Industry Trade Association.

The first of its kind awards program for the IT channel recognizes young entrepreneurs and innovators who are making their mark in the industry.

The 2014 ChannelChangers are:

• Jon Borgese, 29, director, channel marketing, Intermedia, New York, N.Y. Jon built a channel marketing team from the ground up and now manages a team of six people.
• Rory Jackson, 28, senior network engineer, Business Continuity Technologies, Las Vegas. Rory served as lead engineer and IT project manager and helped a rural Nevada county with no IT staff upgrade its communications and technology systems to better serve county residents.
• Raj Patel, 28, director, Vanti, Birmingham, England. Raj has been a key player in his company’s expansion of its AV and IT solutions businesses into new corporate and public sector markets.
• Nathan Teplow, 24, marketing programs manager, Continuum Managed IT Services, Boston. Nathan manages the company’s blog, hosts and produces a weekly radio show and is active in many other marketing activities for his employer.
• Brittani Von Roden, 29, vice president, sales and marketing, Erb’s Technology Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Brittani is the youngest and first female promoted to her company’s leadership team in the firm’s 50-plus year history.

“Our selection committee was pleased with the high caliber of the nominees, but it made their task of choosing five winners that much more difficult,” said Kelly Ricker, senior vice president, events and education, CompTIA. “The impressive accomplishments of our winners and many of the other nominees is a sure sign that the IT channel is in good hands for many years to come.”

Young professionals between the ages of 23 and 29 as of August 2014, who have two years’ experience in the IT industry and are currently employed by a CompTIA member company were eligible for consideration as a ChannelChanger. Nominees were evaluated on:

• The quality of their achievements and accomplishments.
• Their understanding of the channel’s opportunities and challenges, as well as their unique and creative thinking about them.
• How well they thought and acted beyond their own company to benefit the industry.
• Their potential as a role model for industry peers.
• Their ability to draw on experiences to look beyond their immediate future.

Winners were selected by a committee of IT industry executives and experts, including Robert Demarzo, senior vice president, strategic content, The Channel Company; Heather Murray, vice president, Tech Data Mobile Solutions, Tech Data Corporation; Bob Stegner, senior vice president, marketing, North America, SYNNEX; Larry Walsh, CEO and chief analyst, The 2112 Group; Barry Williams, senior director, indirect channel sales, Comcast; and Mark Williams, CEO, Pensar.

The award winners will be recognized at CompTIA’s ChannelCon 2014, the premier partnering and training event for IT vendors, distributors and channel partners. The conference is set for Aug. 4-6 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix. Visit ChannelCon to learn more.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit CompTIA online (http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx).