Commvault Partners Get New Global Leader with Dell EMC Vet

Commvault partners can look forward to working with John Tavares, the company’s new VP of global channel and alliances.

In his new role, Tavares will oversee the growth of Commvault’s global partner organization. The Dell EMC vet also plans to strengthen the company’s relationships with Commvault partners worldwide.

“John is joining Commvault at the perfect time — bringing his wealth of valuable expertise to the Global Partner Organization and serving as a barometer of what we can expect in this next fiscal year,” said Riccardo Di Blasio, Commvault’s chief revenue officer.

Tavares worked in a variety of sales leadership roles at Dell EMC. His tenure spans 25 years, first working for EMC and continuing through the merger with Dell.

During his tenure with Dell EMC, Tavares grew the company’s data center business, encompassing software, hardware and services. He also built a sales team and increased revenue year-over-year.

Mercer Rowe is Commvault’s former channel chief. He’s switching to area vice president for Commvault’s business in Japan. He will focus on growing Metallic, Commvault’s SaaS division, in the region.

In a Q&A with Channel Partners, Tavares talks about what Commvault partners can expect in the coming months.

Channel Futures: Why did you want to take this role with Commvault? 

Commvault’s John Tavares

John Tavares: I saw an opportunity to take my sales leadership experience and partner knowledge, and leverage it in a wider, global role at Commvault. In addition, with Metallic and other recent innovations, I think Commvault is perfectly positioned to deliver partners the solutions they need to help their customers intelligently protect and manage data in what is an increasing hybrid, multicloud world.

CF: How will your previous experience come into play in this new role? 

JT: I think my experience in sales execution, building sales teams and channel go-to-market (GTM) provides me with a unique blend of skills for this role. With these skills I plan to develop some unique GTM combinations that create new opportunities for our partner ecosystem. These and similar initiatives will help us further improve the focus and extend the simplicity of Commvault’s channel program.

CF: What’s at the top of your to-do list? 

JT: Well, there are really two things at the top of the list. First, we are planning on launching an updated version of our partner program this spring. [It will build] on the current program, while making it more cloud-focused and simpler.

In addition, one of my top priorities is to work to improve partner technical enablement. I want to ensure our partners can quickly and easily gain the expertise they need to maximize the value of Commvault’s solutions for both their customers and themselves.

CF: What issues are Commvault’s partners facing, particularly with the ongoing pandemic, and how will you address those issues? 

JT: Our partners are facing a lot of issues, but I think the biggest long-term challenge – and opportunity – they face is their journey to SaaS. Some are further along this journey than others. But I think all of them recognize that that is where the market is going. And with our Metallic Backup as a Service (BaaS) and other offerings for intelligently protecting and managing data that is increasingly being stored in SaaS or other cloud-based applications, we are the perfect partner to help them on this journey.

CF: What’s your take on Commvault’s channel strategy and partner program? Any changes needed? 

JT: I think Mercer moved mountains to build a very strong foundation for our channel program. Perhaps most importantly, he built a program that instilled trust in our partners.

I think the changes I want to make are all related to taking this program to the next level. Specifically, I think with new GTM and technical enablement initiatives, we can further energize our partners to the point where they see Commvault as one of the core elements in the value proposition they offer their customers.