Author: Oxfordadmin@878

VMware (VMW) announced it has appointed Bask Iyer as its new senior vice president and chief information officer, replacing former CIO Tony Scott, who left the company to take the helm of U.S. CIO under President Barack Obama.

Iyer, who currently holds the same position at Juniper Networks (JNPR), is expected to join VMware on March 23, according to the announcement. He will report to Jonathan Chadwick, VMware’s chief financial offer, chief operating officer and executive vice president.

“Bask has extensive experience as a strategic and operational leader. He will play a pivotal role in leading VMware and helping our customers as we deliver the reality of the software-defined enterprise,” said Chadwick, in a statement. “We are excited to have Bask join the VMware executive team and an all-star group of IT professionals.”

Iyer has more than 25 years of experience in IT leadership under his belt, including his tenure as CIO at companies including Honeywell and GlaxoSmithKline Beecham, according to the announcement.

“I am thrilled to lead information technology for VMware and join the team that helps VMware meet the needs of more than 500,000 customers worldwide,” said Iyer. “And, I am excited by the opportunity to showcase VMware’s suite of exceptional products as a central component of VMware’s own IT solution.”

Iyer’s appointment comes just weeks after Scott was chosen by President Obama as the new United States CIO. Scott, who formerly held the same posts at Microsoft (MSFT) and Walt Disney Co., replaces interim CIO Lisa Schlosser, who also serves as deputy administrator for the Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of Management and Budget. The position originated during Obama’s first term, with Vivek Kundra serving as the country’s first CIO in 2009.

ForeScout Technologies has named former Intel Security president Michael DeCesare CEO in a bid to capture a larger segment of the information security market.

The monitoring and mitigation vendor plans to use DeCesare’s 20-plus years of experience in the security industry to bolster its existing network visibility offerings and capitalize on the company’s success in 2014. Prior to his appointment at ForeScout, DeCesare served as president of Intel Security, and also held leadership positions at companies including EMC and Oracle (ORCL).

“The explosion of mobile devices, cloud and wireless access has thrown a giant spotlight on securing the network. This is where the action is, and the rapid growth of network security companies proves it,” said DeCesare, in a statement. “I’ve admired ForeScout’s technology as second to none, and there is no question that in the age of big breaches, ForeScout is poised to become a significant player with an important role in restoring trust and confidence in the digital environment.”

DeCesare is scheduled to take over as CEO on March 2. Current interim CEO T. Kent Elliot will continue as a non-employee member of the company’s board of directors once DeCesare is in place, where he will provide strategic insight and advice to the executive management team, according to the announcement.

Elliot has served as CEO since July, after the company quietly replaced former chief executive officer Gord Boyce, according to CRN. Elliot was CEO between 2003 and 2009 but stepped down to allow Boyce to take over in 2010.

“We are in a position to truly revolutionize the security space,” said Hezy Yeshurun, co-founder and chairman of the board of ForeScout.  “As we embark on our next growth phase, Michael DeCesare is the visionary we wanted to help ForeScout capitalize on the opportunities ahead.”

MaintenanceNet has recruited industry veterans Justin Crotty as vice president of Global Sales and Steven Merten as vice president of Professional Services in a bid to build on the company’s success in 2014.

The service revenue generation service provider said both men will use their experience in the channel to help MaintenanceNet gain traction in the global market as the company continues to expand its services to more distributors and resellers.

“It’s a big win for MaintenanceNet and our customers to have these exceptional executives join our team,” said Shayne Skaff, MaintenanceNet president and co-founder, in a statement. “Their leadership will be instrumental to our ongoing success as we enter our second decade of business, expand our global operations and identify new ways to drive revenue growth for our customers.”

Crotty holds more than 20 years of experience in the IT channel, and most recently served as general manager and senior vice president at NetEnrich, an IT infrastructure management and operations services provider. Prior to his role at NetEnrich, Crotty was responsible for developing North America’s first IT managed and cloud services distribution model as an Ingram Micro (IM) executive, according to the announcement. He will be responsible for overseeing MaintenanceNet’s global sales teams, sales operations and sales resources in his new role.

“The opportunity in service revenue generation is huge and growing, and MaintenanceNet has led the market with groundbreaking advancements in data visualization, channel enablement and service sales automation,” said Crotty. “My focus will be to further develop our business in North America and internationally, guiding our customers to adopt a more effective service-driven business model to align with today’s increasingly service-driven economy.”

As vice president of MaintenanceNet’s Professional Services team, Merten will be tasked with improving the customer experience for the company’s network of global clients, according to the announcement. Merten has held senior-level positions in the healthcare and technology industries, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Avnet Technology Solutions and Infor.

“In heading up the professional services team, my aim is to ensure that no matter how fast the pace of business, we are going above and beyond to make our customers’ success our top priority,” said Merten.

MaintenanceNet reported worldwide service contracts in excess of $3 billion in 2014, marking one of the company’s most profitable years to date, according to the press release. The company also launched its new ServiceExchange Service Revenue Generation Platform and showed year-over-year revenue growth of 50 percent in 2014 due to its success in attracting new distributors and resellers.

Verizon (VZ) elevated John Stratton, its former Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline boss, to head its wireless business, replacing Dan Mead, who served as the unit’s chief executive since 2010 and will retire after overseeing the sale of the telecom carrier’s wireline operations in California, Florida and Texas to Frontier Communications.

With Stratton’s ascension, Verizon now joins carriers T-Mobile (TMUS), Sprint (S) and AT&T (T) with new chiefs, all of whom have been appointed in the last two years.

Verizon disclosed the change in leadership in an 8-K SEC filing dated February 17, in which the company said it “reorganized its operating structure.” In the filing, Verizon said Stratton’s official title is Executive Vice President and President of Operations, tasked with “operational responsibility for Verizon’s wireless and wireline businesses.”

Stratton will continue to report to Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and chief executive.

Until his official retirement, Mead will serve in a new role as Executive Vice President and President of Strategic Initiatives, Verizon said. Verizon said it expects Mead to retire “following the completion of the strategic initiatives on which he is working.” Verizon and Frontier expect their deal will be completed in the first half of 2016.

Stratton previously served as Verizon’s Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline executive vice president and president, overseeing its Consumer, Mass Business, Enterprise Solutions and Global Wholesale Operating Units, along with handling its wireline network, cloud computing, and cyber-security platforms.

He also served as president of Verizon Enterprise Solutions, with responsibility for Verizon’s solutions for business and government customers, key verticals, IT consulting services and global wholesale offerings. In addition, had a stint as Verizon Wireless’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, and executive vice president and chief marketing officer (CMO) of Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless.

A Verizon spokesperson told FierceWireless the carrier will not fill Stratton’s most recent post because his new role calls for him to handle both Verizon’s wireless and wireline operations.

Kaspersky Lab North America has appointed Kim Stevens as its new director of VAR Channel Sales, responsible for developing the security vendor’s VAR strategy and sales performance. She will report directly to John Murdock, Kaspersky’s channel chief.

Stevens plans to leverage her position to focus on growing Kaspersky’s business with strategic partners who understand the opportunities available in the cybersecurity market. She also will work to take a targeted approach to solving partner issues and continuing Kaspersky’s efforts to attract more midmarket and enterprise partners.

“My initial plans are to make sure that our team is really focused on strategic partners and investing in those partners … to help grow the business,” said Stevens, in an interview with The VAR Guy.

Stevens has worked in the IT industry for more than 20 years, and has held leadership positions at companies including NEC, Acronis, EMC and Cisco Systems (CSCO). She also worked for 10 years at IBM, spending seven of those years in the company’s Channel Sales division, according to the announcement.

Kaspersky’s former director of VAR Channel Sales, Jim Sullivan, was promoted to vice president of SMB Sales, where he will be responsible for overseeing the company’s small and midmarket sales organizations in North America. He will report to Mike Parise, Kaspersky’s senior vice president of Corporate Sales.

Together, Stevens and Murdock said Kaspersky will continue to build out its partner program this year, with Murdock teasing the appointment of several new channel executives and the addition of more partner resources for demos, evaluations and training. The company is expected to reveal more details on its growing partner program during next month’s Kaspersky Lab North American Partner Conference in Miami.

“I’m thrilled that Kim has joined the team here,” said Murdock. “She brings a lot of great experience to the table and she’s a very partner-centric leader. So I think the leadership she is going to continue to bring to the culture we have here is going to be tremendous.”

Mobile device makerBlackBerry (BBRY) has appointed David Kleidermacher as its new chief security officer. In his role, Kleidermacher will be responsible for ensuring the success of BlackBerry’s Product Security organization and driving the company’s initiatives in secure enterprise mobility.

Kleidermacher will also oversee BlackBerry’s security-specific research and product development as well as the company’s product certification and approval program, according to the announcement.

“David is an outstanding addition to our best-in-class security team, and he will help extend BlackBerry’s gold standard of security as we work with customers to meet new cybersecurity challenges,” said John Chen, executive chairman and CEO of BlackBerry, in a statement. “In particular, David’s knowledge of securing the Internet of Things and embedded systems will be invaluable as we execute on our strategy and continue to expand our management of the world’s mobile endpoints.”

Kleidermacher is a 20-year veteran of the IT industry, and most recently served as chief technology officer (CTO) at Green Hills Software, an operating systems and embedded development solutions provider.  He also spent several years as CTO for INTEGRITY Global Security, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Just last month, Reuters reported that Samsung planned to acquire BlackBerry to the tune of $7.5 billion, but both companies quickly denied the claim.

BlackBerry completed its own acquisition of German data theft and anti-eavesdropping solution provider Secusmart in early January, with the goal of strengthening its secure enterprise mobility portfolio and end-to-end security solutions.

Ex-Ingram Micro (IM) executive Tim Acker has joined Synnex (SNX) as vice president of Mobility and Connected Solutions as the distributor looks to grow its mobile offerings.

In his new role, Acker will work with carriers and OEMs to expand the distributor’s mobile services division, according to the announcement. Acker will also be tasked with running Synnex’s MobilitySolv program.

“With more than 20 years of demonstrated results around mobility, computing, digital media, software, fulfillment and e-commerce, Tim has helped companies dramatically grow revenue, optimize processes, develop new products and solutions and improve profitability,” said TJ Trojan, senior vice president of Product Management at Synnex, in a statement.

Synnex said it will leverage Acker’s expertise in mobility solutions as the former senior director and general manager at Ingram Micro Mobility to capitalize on increasing mobile device opportunities related to the Internet of Things.

During his tenure at Ingram Micro, Acker was responsible for developing the distributor’s enterprise mobility and IoT businesses. He was also a driving force behind the creation of Ingram’s wearables and accessories business following the company’s acquisition of BrightPoint, according to the announcement. Prior to his time at Ingram Micro, Acker held senior-level positions with companies including Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Digital River. He also served as co-owner and principal at Evolve Partners, according to CRN.

Acker’s decision to leave Ingram Micro is the second instance of one of the distributor’s leading executives leaving for another company in the past four months, CRN reported. In November, Ingram Micro Advanced Technology Division Vice President Jay Miley left to become president of PCM, a solution provider specializing in services and solutions for businesses, government and educational institutions.

There has been no word on Acker’s replacement at Ingram Micro or how his departure will affect the company’s mobility unit. Acker was not available to comment on his new position.

Security vendor Sophos has appointed Joe Levy as its new chief technology officer, responsible for leading the company’s technology strategy across all theaters.

Levy will also be responsible for helping the company improve its product vision and develop new ways to simplify IT security, according to the announcement. Prior to his appointment at Sophos, Levy served as CTO for several companies, including Solera Networks and Blue Coat Systems, which acquired Solera in 2013.

“Joe shares our vision that the next generation of security solutions will require disruptive innovation both in capabilities and in usability,” said Kris Hagerman, chief executive officer for Sophos, in a statement. “His technical expertise and vision will be critical as we build new solutions to meet the growing demands of our customers.”

Levy brings more than 20 years of experience in the channel with him to his position at Sophos, including firsthand knowledge of the VAR community from his time at OneNet, according to the press release.

“As a global leader in endpoint, network, and data security, and with a powerful cloud security platform, Sophos has all the technology needed to deliver the complete security solution that customers require,” said Levy. “This is a great time to become part of the Sophos team.”

Sophos recently acquired cloud security firm Mojave Networks in October for an undisclosed sum in a bid to strengthen its cloud-managed and appliance-based security solutions. The company expected to integrate Mojave’s technology into the Sophos Cloud product line this year, with integration for its appliance-based network security solutions planned in the near future.

The Cloud Foundry Foundation, which oversees the (almost) eponymous open source project for PaaS cloud computing, today announced a new CEO, Sam Ramji, who says he is committed to continuing to grow the project and the industry collaboration that undergirds it.

The organization is touting Ramji’s appointment as evidence of the project’s commitment to promoting cooperation between companies in building an open source cloud PaaS that fits the needs of industry partners across the channel. “Ramji’s absence of ties to any of the Foundation’s member companies underscores the community’s embrace of coopetition between major vendors to drive Cloud Foundry’s success,” the organization said in a statement.

Promoting continued cooperation between companies to support Cloud Foundry is a key goal for Ramji in his new role. “Cloud Foundry has quickly become the way applications are built on the cloud,” he said. “Major corporations on the supply and demand sides of the cloud market are putting significant resources behind what we’re doing. They’re doing so because they know they can commit to Cloud Foundry as their cloud platform with confidence.”

Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, which supports Cloud Foundry as a collaborative project, added, “The growth of the Cloud Foundry project is really phenomenal. We’re seeing it primarily through increasing community contributions and new investments from the most innovative companies in the cloud computing space. When an open source project is experiencing this kind of growth, it is critical to have a neutral leader in place who can support the project and community and facilitate that momentum. Sam’s experience in the application development market and open source community makes him the perfect fit for helping to drive this project into the future.”

Ramji has previous experience at Apigee, BEA WebLogic Integration (now owned byOracle) and Microsoft’s open source division. He is also board secretary of the Outercurve Foundation.