Polycom Snags Avaya Midmarket Sales Chief

Enterprise video and communication solutions vendor Polycom (PLCM) has hired Christopher M. Jones as president of Polycom Americas, responsible for leading the company’s regional sales strategy and execution.

The appointment is particularly significant considering that Jones hails from rival communications vendor Avaya, where he most recently served as vice president of Midmarket Sales. During his tenure at Avaya, Jones was responsible for leading the company’s global midmarket and worldwide distribution sales teams—tasks that are likely to inform his leadership decisions in his new role at Polycom.

“The Americas region is a significant driver of Polycom’s business,” said Peter Leav, Polycom president and CEO, in a statement. “Chris’ leadership style, go-to-market expertise, industry experience and deep understanding of customer needs will focus our team in the right areas to achieve profitable growth.”

Jones, who has more than 25 years of sales and leadership experience, will assume his new role Aug. 3. He will replace former Americas president Damian Artt, who left in April.

Jones is also expected to play a “key role” in implementing Polycom’s new global channel partner program, which launched in April.

“I’m sure he’ll have some really good ideas on ways to continue to evolve the program,” said Jim Kruger, chief marketing officer at Polycom, in an interview with CRN. “We feel very confident that [the program] is on target, but as you bring people in with different experiences we definitely will be open-minded to any adjustments that we might need to make as we move forward.”

In addition to his role at Avaya, Jones has also held senior leadership positions at companies including Juniper Networks (JNPR), Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Proxim Wireless Corporation, a provider of Wi-Fi and wireless network technologies.

“I am passionate about this industry and believe collaboration technologies such as video will become one of the most pervasive means of business communication,” said Jones. “Polycom is helping organizations build the workplace of the future right now, and I am excited to join the company and lead the Americas team.”