Partners React to Datto CEO McChord's Resignation
Datto's extensive partner network had a myriad of reactions to the popular leader's announcement he's leaving the C-suite.
![Datto's Austin McChord Datto's Austin McChord](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blt7e08f28a0a1388d6/65245d09ff019655243826b8/Austin-McChord-Datto-2018-gallery-feature.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
“We just got off the phone with Austin. I am confident that Datto will find another forward-thinking Austin to run the business. I really don’t look for much to change as they are committed to the channel. Why would they ever change that model? In the business world we must embrace change; this is one of those moments. Datto and [its] partners will be just fine.”
“Austin’s story with Datto is incredible — from a few servers in a basement to a unicorn-valued business. We’ve partnered with Datto for many years, and I’ve had a chance to talk with Austin a few times over the years. I hope his passion for the channel, dedication to customer service, and his “always do right” philosophy remain after he leaves Datto. Datto has a very bright future if [it] sticks with the core principles Austin started with.”
“Personally, I feel very apprehensive about this move. After the merger last year, when it was announced the Austin was to stay on as CEO, it gave us confidence because of his commitment to the channel. Now, it leaves the impression that the “money” is getting involved in making decisions, and when that starts to happen, the long-term commitment to the channel Datto had can be turned into a short-term commitment for [the company] to make a profit.”
“Austin has been a fantastic CEO and a lot of us owe him thanks for building a fantastic product and an amazing company. Kudos to him for evaluating what’s personally important to him and stepping down before the IPO tornado hits the executive team. I wish him well and hope his successor CEO carries forth Austin’s approachability, caring for the company and MSPs.
“Austin has been a great CEO — he belongs in the MSP hall of fame.”
“End of an era. I hope, for the sake of their channel partners, that the new leadership moves as aggressively as Austin has to build out a viable competitor to ConnectWise. Competition in that space is healthy for the MSPs, no matter how you feel about CW, and Austin is owed a debt of gratitude for making it happen.”
“Austin McChord and his success with Datto demonstrates the value of focusing on the MSP channel market. I believe that all too often companies try to double-dip by selling direct in addition to having a channel partnership, and having two paths to sales causes nothing but friction — everyone ends up losing. In addition, Austin was always supportive and transparent with his partners, which was a key component to what he was able to do with Datto in just over a decade.”
“As a person who once relentlessly pursued the corporate life to the detriment of my family and saw the light before it was too late, I applaud Austin’s decision. The mythical life-work balance mix takes a concerted mindful effort and the pendulum swings decidedly more in one direction at times.”
“We are a longtime Autotask client who had never been a Datto client. When Autotask was ‘acquired’ by Datto, we were concerned about the strategic direction of it. Would the future of Autotask be more geared toward smaller MSPs than us? Would they force Autotask partners onto a combined, fully Datto stack? And generally, what was their plan for Autotask?
“I had never met Austin, but when we attended DattoCon 2018 and heard Austin’s vision and met the rest of his team, we were impressed. And when we saw the tremendous improvements that Autotask had made in less than a year under his leadership, our fears changed to excitement about the direction of the business. While we are disappointed to see him go, he can leave knowing that the culture he created there, and the leadership team he built around him will survive his departure, which is the ultimate measurement of great leadership. We wish him the best and congratulate him as he transitions to the next stage in his life.”
“Austin has been a dynamic leader of Datto, and I have always appreciated his approach to leadership. At DattoCon partner conferences, he has been willing to engage with partners directly and get down in the weeds regarding issues, direction on products, etc. Since Datto and Autotask merged, we have been excited for Austin to bring the culture from Datto over to Autotask to speed up the rate of innovation and change for the “legacy” Autotask products. We hope Austin will still provide the strategic direction for the combined organization in his role on the board. I look forward learning more about who they pick as their new CEO!”
“While the changing of the guard as significant as this is always concerning, we believe in the strength of Datto as an organization that Austin created as well as the underlying partnership we’ve developed between our two companies to give us optimism about the future of Datto to continue as a major player —as well as a trendsetter in our industry.”
“While the changing of the guard as significant as this is always concerning, we believe in the strength of Datto as an organization that Austin created as well as the underlying partnership we’ve developed between our two companies to give us optimism about the future of Datto to continue as a major player —as well as a trendsetter in our industry.”
Austin McChord, who founded Datto 11 years ago and has been at the helm ever since, resigned his position as CEO Tuesday. Extremely popular among his channel partners, McChord’s decision has inspired a range of reactions from Datto’s managed service provider (MSP) community, from happy well-wishes to wariness about what will happen next.
“Austin had an amazing vision of partnership with MSPs,” said Jason Dittman, president of MSP MicroAge Regina. “We will be keeping a very watchful eye to ensure that vision continues.”
A year ago, backup and disaster recovery (BDR) provider Datto merged with Autotask, which provides IT management solutions, in a blockbuster deal we don’t often see in the channel. Together, they were acquired by Vista Equity Partners in a $1.5 billion deal. Not bad for someone who started his company in his parents’ basement. To many in the industry, his exit post-acquisition is hardly a shock.
“I can’t say I’m surprised,” said C.J. Ezell, founder of MSP PointClear Networks. “This happens to every young CEO whenever [venture capital] gets involved. Vision always gives way to profits.”
Whatever McChord’s reasons for leaving the c-suite, all the Datto partners we talked with for this article spoke of the visionary founder with utmost respect. It’s clear he’ll be missed.
“Austin has led Datto to be a backbone company in our industry,” said Heinan Landa, president & CEO of MSP Optimal Networks. “I hope his decision paves the way for even more opportunities for them.”
To read more partner reactions, click through our slide show.
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