Two elite Rackspace executives recognized on CRN’s 2020 Channel Chiefs list

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Two elite Rackspace executives recognized on CRN’s 2020 Channel Chiefs list

As an exciting way to start off the new year, Rackers Lisa McLin and Michael Stephens have been named on CRN’s 2020 list of Channel Chiefs. This annual list recognizes the top vendor executives who continually demonstrate exemplary leadership, influence, innovation and growth for the IT channel.

Lisa began at Rackspace as a staff accountant almost two decades ago and served as Vice President of Sales before being tapped to head the Rackspace channel program. As the Vice President of Alliances and Channel Chief at Rackspace, Lisa is responsible for the strategy and execution of growing global partner relationships and propelling organizational revenue.

Lisa has mastered the development of high-velocity sales organizations through creating processes, methodologies, accountability for profit-generating programs, and building relationships and strategies for the company’s partners and alliances. While at Rackspace, Lisa has led the channel’s contribution to Rackspace new bookings by approximately 50%.

“Working together to leverage an entire portfolio and accelerate cloud transformation for partners and customers has been key to driving our channel’s success,” Lisa said. “I’m honored to be recognized as a CRN Channel Chief in 2020, and I’m excited to take lead in a program that focuses on strategic partnerships, as well as the new partner tools, joint events and strategies around developing a partner ecosystem.”

Also on the CRN 2020 list of Channel Chiefs, Michael oversees the channel organization at Rackspace and is responsible for driving growth within agent/VAR/private equity practices. He brings more than 20 years of technology industry and channel experience to Rackspace. Over his 25-year career, Michael has held leadership roles in operations where his responsibilities included inside sales, sales support, order entry, billing and collections. He has also led various teams within product, marketing and process management for LCI International and Qwest.

“We have continued to evolve and improve our Fanatical Partner Program where partners and their customers come first,” said Michael. “This award shows how Rackspace and I are dedicated to driving a program that represents a Fanatical Experience™ for our partners. We care about our partners’ goals and objectives, and we proactively hold quarterly business reviews to evaluate their objectives and design growth strategies that keep them front and center in all that we do.”

The 2020 Channel Chiefs have shown outstanding commitment, an ability to lead and a passion for progress within the channel through their partner programs. The Channel Chief honorees were chosen by the CRN editorial staff for their dedication, industry prestige and exceptional accomplishments in driving the channel agenda and evangelizing the importance of channel partnerships.

“The IT channel is undergoing constant evolution to meet customer demands and changing business environments,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “CRN’s Channel Chiefs work tirelessly, leading the industry forward through superior partner programs and strategies with a focus on helping solution providers transform and grow. Our team here at The Channel Company congratulates these outstanding individuals for their dedication to the channel.”

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