Former HP Channels VP Frank Rauch Joins VMware

Rauch

Rauch’s departure from HP was not a surprise; CRN reported in early June Rauch’s plans to join VMware. Also heading for the door was Meaghan Kelly, vice president of channel strategy, who left June 15 to join SAP as vice president of Global Channel Marketing.

Rauch joined HP in 2002 when it acquired Compaq and had been a mainstay through all HP’s channel upheavals. One could speculate he was a major reason why channel partners stuck with the company despite the executive and corporate turmoil. At the very least, Rauch was one constant when everything else seemed in flux.

HP is continuing its efforts to find a new leader for its Americas Channel Sales to replace Rauch, who started his new position July 2 and reports to Jeff Casale, senior vice president and general manager of VMware’s Americas business.