Cloud tech company Vonage names SVP, channel chief

Vonage has a new senior vice president and channel chief, the Holmdel-based cloud company announced.

Bob Crissman will lead the channel team, working with a network of master agents, subagents, independent software vendors and other resellers to help them meet the full range of cloud communications needs for their business customers.

“Bob has deep experience in building high-performing, global sales teams and delivering go-to-market strategies to meet customer demands. Having served in several leadership positions in various software companies throughout his career, Bob brings a unique and valuable perspective to Vonage,” said Vonage Chief Revenue Officer Kenny Wyatt. “With expertise in the channel and enterprise space, Bob will also chart a course of leadership in the support and growth of our Channel Partner program.”

Crissman’s appointment “comes at a pivotal moment, as we reinforce our commitment to the channel to continue to grow our offering within the enterprise space,” Wyatt added.

Prior to joining Vonage, Crissman was vice president of global channel sales and channel chief at Alfresco Software, where he was responsible for building a new partner program that grew partner revenue from 50 percent of the business to 70 percent in two years.

Crissman also has had channel leadership roles at Microsoft and VMware.

He spearheaded several marquee product launches at Microsoft, and was the lead architect in rebuilding the Microsoft Partner Network.

At VMware, he oversaw partner strategy, program development and the partner-led mid-market sales model, which grew from zero to $200 million in revenue in less than two years. The sales model now represents a $1 billion business for VMware.

“I am excited to join Vonage and a team that is not only dedicated to helping companies use communications to transform how they do business, but also to its partners’ success,” Crissman said. “Vonage’s commitment to the channel is evident by continued investments in sales, marketing and technology infrastructure to support the success of its channel partners and to better serve customers.”