Meet the Chiefs: Gary Coben, Evolve IP
This week in Meet the Chiefs we meet Gary Coben, vice president of Channel Services at Evolve IP, a unified cloud services provider. Coben has served as Evolve's channel chief since the company launched in 2008 and has more than 30 years of experience working in channel sales and marketing.
![Meet the Chiefs: Gary Coben, Evolve IP Meet the Chiefs: Gary Coben, Evolve IP](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blteec0307cc194c17d/65246e3d4837af7f70faae77/BWGary_Coben_Headshot_HighRes_9.9.15_0.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Gary Coben, vice president of Channel Services at Evolve IP
Coben: My very first job was actually a busboy at the Rickshaw Inn in Cherry Hill, N.J. My first real job was selling PBXs for ITT before there was anything other than the Bell System.
The VAR Guy says: We would totally count being a busboy as a legitimate job, although not in the IT sector, of course. Bussing tables is hard work!
Coben: Depending on the day of the week, I go between a high-end sports car like a Lamborghini or a dictator-mover like the Mercedes S55 AMG.
The VAR Guy says: Lamborghinis are great, but a nice Mercedes is (slightly) more affordable and makes you look like a complete boss when cruising around town or between meetings.
Coben: Unfortunately I have not taken a lot of time over the last few years. When I do get away, I find myself at the Jersey shore or hiking up in the mountains. Had the question been, where are you taking your next vacation, I am in the process of building up enough miles for two first-class tickets to Italy. Check back in a few years and I’ll let you know how the food was!
The VAR Guy says: We bet that trip to Italy is gonna be great! The Jersey Shore is always a good time too, so long as you don't bump into Snooki and the crew.
Coben: I read enough business articles and journals that when I read for fun, it’s all about John Grisham. This guy gets me on page 1 and keeps me entertained to the very last page.
The VAR Guy says: We know that feeling. Sometimes you need to take a break from all the serious stuff and get really involved with a good crime drama or suspense thriller.
Coben: I’ve got a thing for mechanical watches. On last count, I had 14 with a goal of 52, so I can wear a different one for each week! My last splurge item was another watch, but I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a 70-inch television just in time for the 2015-2016 football season.
The VAR Guy says: Watches are cool, but that TV sure sounds sweet. Let us know when you get it and we'll be sure to bring a six-pack and some onion dip!
Coben: I try not to get too obsessed with television programs, because when it happens, it’s really addictive. The last shows that got me were "The Sopranos" and "Boardwalk Empire." These days, I like a lot of the reality TV shows like "Alone" and "Survivorman."
The VAR Guy says: While we've never watched either of these ourselves, it seems like you like shows about people surviving in the wilderness using their instincts and street smarts! Bear Grylls would be proud.
Coben: As a product of the late '70s, I originally wanted to be in the music business. As a result, I majored in Communications and Economics and ended up in the phone business. At the end of the day, it all made sense, but I was and still am a huge music fan.
The VAR Guy says: It would be totally groovy to be a music producer for some of the great artists of the disco era, but luckily for us you joined the channel instead!
Coben: I can’t give you one, but I can give you two. The first one was the original "Planet of the Apes" simply for the shock value of seeing a world turned upside down. The second one was "Rocky." As a born and bred Philadelphian, how can you not like the movie that single-handedly put your town on the map for most Americans? That one has it all: The underdog that achieves greatness, the bad guy that becomes good, and a run up the art museum steps that at least one tourist performs every single day!
The VAR Guy says: Wow, both of these are really great choices. We still get chills when Charlton Heston sees the Statue of Liberty for the first time, and we can't visit Philly without (attempting) to run the steps like Rocky.
Coben: I can’t give you one, but I can give you two. The first one was the original "Planet of the Apes" simply for the shock value of seeing a world turned upside down. The second one was "Rocky." As a born and bred Philadelphian, how can you not like the movie that single-handedly put your town on the map for most Americans? That one has it all: The underdog that achieves greatness, the bad guy that becomes good, and a run up the art museum steps that at least one tourist performs every single day!
The VAR Guy says: Wow, both of these are really great choices. We still get chills when Charlton Heston sees the Statue of Liberty for the first time, and we can't visit Philly without (attempting) to run the steps like Rocky.
This week in Meet the Chiefs we meet Gary Coben, vice president of Channel Services at Evolve IP, a unified cloud services provider. Coben has served as Evolve's channel chief since the company launched in 2008 and has more than 30 years of experience working in channel sales and marketing.
He previously served as director of Channel Sales for Deltathree, a VoIP solution provider, and also held senior level positions at Sprint, T-Mobile, SkyTel, Thrucomm and ITT Telecom.
What is Meet the Chiefs?
Meet the Chiefs shines the spotlight on the channel’s head honchos and offers an opportunity to learn a little bit about the person beyond his or her company profile. Click on each photo to learn more about the channel chief you’re viewing.
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