NetFortris, an award-winning end-to-end provider of managed cloud communication solutions and network services, including hosted voice, SD-WAN and SIP Trunking, has strengthened its commitment to channel with the addition of two new channel managers and a senior marketing manager. NetFortris also created the new role of Vice President of Strategic Partnerships to focus on complex solutions.
“These additions to our channel leadership team reinforce our commitment to our channel partners. We’re starting 2021 with a clear plan for how we will grow business together with our sales partners as an end-to-end provider to meet customers’ complete communication needs,” said Tessley Smith, Senior Vice President of Sales for NetFortris.
Aaron Kanahele has been tapped as the company’s first Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, focusing on complex solution deployment nationwide. Kanahele has worked at NetFortris for 14 years, most recently as Vice President of Channel Sales – West. In his new position, he will work as an overlay for the channel team to build relationships with specific partners.
“NetFortris has had a high success rate working with select partners across North America to secure and deploy very complex communications and networking solutions,” he said. “I look forward to dedicating 100 percent of my efforts to serve our strategic partners while growing our businesses together.”
“Aaron has proven himself as a trusted consultative resource for strategic relationships,” said Smith. “As NetFortris continues to advance its growth plan, enhanced support and engagement for our strategic partners remains a vital focus. Aaron has an impressive background. His industry experience, coupled with his sharp business acumen and genuine personal-engagement style, make him the ideal advocate and ally for these important partners and their customers.”
To boost local support for sales partners, the NetFortris channel sales team, led by Vice President of Channel Sales Shawn Berry, added two new channel managers, Jay Wicker and Colm Armstrong.
“Colm and Jay bring a new level of channel experience and excitement to NetFortris’ channel team,” said Berry. “They both have deep ties to the channel community and will expand our presence in the West and New England regions. I have been a big fan of both of these channel pros for a while and look forward to seeing how they can build business opportunities with our partners.”
Wicker will support NetFortris partners in the West, specifically California, New Mexico and Arizona. A 21-year veteran of telecom, Wicker has deep technical knowledge and a fierce commitment to serve his channel partners. His experience with SD-WAN and multilocation deployments makes him a natural fit for NetFortris’ end-to-end product set.
Armstrong, a 17-year channel veteran, also joins NetFortris with extensive experience in SD-WAN and multilocation deployments. Most recently a channel executive with Ecessa, he has strong ties and relationships in the channel community. Armstrong will support partners in New England, specifically in New York and New England area encompassing Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Connecticut as well, giving NetFortris a newfound presence in the area.
NetFortris also has brought on seasoned marketing executive Rachel Turkus as Senior Channel Marketing Manager. Previously, she was Director of Marketing at Broadvoice and Lead Development Manager at Packet Fusion. At NetFortris, Turkus is focused on to-channel and through-channel marketing as well as strengthening go-to-market alignment with NetFortris’ national master agent partners.
“Rachel is an experienced partner marketing leader, who will help our channel managers and our partners to go to market together, create demand, educate customers on the NetFortris value proposition, and ultimately, win business,” said Sm.