June Gabel, Longtime Channel Advocate, Dies After Prolonged Illness

The channel community is mourning the loss of June Gabel (pictured above), described as a kind person, as a helper, as a relentless worker and as an industry champion. Gabel, who served as director of program management at the JS Group, died after a multiyear battle with brain cancer.

Gabel was a constant at Channel Partners Conference & Expo events and coworkers described her as the “secret sauce” behind the scenes for vendors, TSDs and partners seeking to grow. Those close to Gabel said she leaves behind an “unparalleled” legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of channel leaders. Gabel’s channel expertise was valued in the industry because she was able to achieve not only results but also brought teams closer as they overcame obstacles, said Janet Schijns, CEO at JS Group.

JS Group’s Janet Schijns

“June was the backbone of our firm, always helping, always involved and always connected in every way,” Schijns said. “She loved the channel and worked every day to ensure that our teams continued our mission to #savethechannel. Her loss is felt by our entire team as she was a member of our JSG family, and the gap she leaves in our hearts will be forever felt. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.”

June Gabel and Her Channel Journey

#Savethechannel is the mission statement Gabel created for the JS Group after she noticed that partners were often concerned about their business due to changes in the industry. She proposed to the JS Group leadership team that the statement reflected a mission to help the channel be profitable and results-driven while ensuring the health of the industry.

Gabel began her journey in the channel during the 1990s during the first evolution of JS Group. She joined the firm as an office manager and then progressed to director of operations. She stepped away from the business to have her children and then returned to her role as director of programs in 2019 when Janet and Roy Schijns re-launched JS Group.

Mark Stackpoole, CEO of GTS, recalled the personal touch Gabel put into every engagement that came across her desk.

“June was and will always be for those that had the chance to know her the wonderful cover of the book that is JS Group. She welcomed us to calls or meetings. June helped us on new engagements or with questions, but not before we caught up on our families or telling funny stories about the barbecue we may have attended the previous weekend,” Stackpoole said. “People loved June. GTS will always remember and love June.”

Tim Acker, CRO at Ninjio, said Gabel’s personality and warmth influenced many.

“[The channel] lost a good friend, tireless advocate, witty and warm human. I am a better person, leader and friend having been blessed by June and her personal and channel family,” Acker said.

All in the Name

The name June evokes summer, sunshine, flowers and beauty, and Gabel’s personality spurs the feelings those words convey, said Jasmina Muller, vice president, global channel sales at ScienceLogic.

“She always smiled. She was always happy. She was always so good from a business and professional standpoint,” Muller said. “June was also the epitome of a supermom. I don’t know how she worked and went through it all. I don’t know how she did what she did working and struggling over the years. She never gave up. She really pushed through as much as she could. That woman was strong, and she fought until the end.”

Gabel is survived by her two sons, Justin Gabel and Brendon Gabel, stepdaughters Caitlin Gabel and Ashley Gabel, husband Bob Gabel, brother Anthony Suriano, sister Elizabeth Crooks, mother Patty Joho, and granddaughter Ivy Gabel.