Avaya Adds Microsoft, Verizon Vets in Key VP Roles

**Editor’s Note: Click here to see which channel people were on the move in July.**

As it moves closer to exiting chapter 11 bankruptcy, Avaya has appointed two new area vice presidents, one to drive sales in the western U.S. and the other to do so in the South.

Avaya’s Bruce Rosen

Bruce Rosen and Jim Haigh will lead sales strategies for all segments of customer care, directly and through channel partners, account teams and operations. Rosen will lead the western region and Haigh will lead the southern region.

Most recently, Rosen led Newport Strategy Advisors, a professional services company. He also held executive positions with Verizon, FlexEnergy and Landmark Dividend. He has a “long, successful track record of delivering advanced technology and communication solutions while also developing and growing commercial, enterprise and government accounts,” Avaya said.

Haigh comes to Avaya with expertise in selling cloud, big data and software following 20 years with Microsoft. Throughout his career, he has managed a variety of teams, delivering “profitable results, innovative problem solving, as well as customer and partner satisfaction,” according to Avaya.

Avaya’s Jim Haigh

“As Avaya looks to the future and the completion of our debt restructuring, we are more focused than ever on tightly aligning our sales organization with the needs of our customers and partners,” said Jim Geary, Avaya’s general manager of Americas sales and services. “This starts with strong leadership. Bruce and Jim have the skills, qualities and expertise that are critical to drive success for Avaya and our partners, and most important of all, to assure the satisfaction and loyalty of our customers.”

Last week, Avaya appointed Jim Chirico, currently its chief operating officer and global sales leader, as upcoming CEO. Keven Kennedy will retire as CEO and member of the board of directors, but has agreed to remain as an adviser. Chirico will join the board of directors on Oct. 1.