Stratos Shuffles Top Management for Aggressive Growth Strategy

Paula Winkler

Winkler is taking on the job vacated by John DeRocker (pictured, bottom), who will now spearhead global growth as senior VP of worldwide Channels for Stratos, which is based in Dallas.

DeRocker’s new job gives him responsibility for growing Stratos’ footprint both inside the United States and internationally by leveraging the company’s existing long-term distributor and vendor relationships.

John DeRocker

Winkler brings years of experience in IT services to her new roll as president of Nexus. She spent 12 years at EDS and 12 years as CIO for Carlson, an international hospitality company. Most recently she’s served as a consultant to CEOs and CIOs on IT strategy and has served as interim CIO for several large Minnesota-based companies.

Bret Kidd, president and COO of Stratos, said that Winkler brings a unique combination of experience and perspectives to her new role as president of Nexus.

“Under Paula’s leadership, we will build on the tremendous success that John DeRocker and the Nexus team delivered in 2012,” said Kidd, in a statement.  “She has experienced IT services from every angle…as a service provider, client and consultant…and is uniquely qualified to help our clients achieve their business outcomes through technology.”

Kidd and Ken Brown, EVP and Chief Client Officer, will continue with their existing aggressive growth plans to establish Stratos as a global IT services leader, specialized in building and managing hybrid IT solutions, the company said in a statement.