Upstack Nabs Zayo, Frontier Alum as Global Channel Head, Buys LanYap Networks

A longtime telecom veteran who led Zayo Group’s channel now works for the agency Upstack.

Nicholas Caruso has joined Upstack as head of global channels and alliances. He’ll build development teams for Upstack’s adviser (agent) and supplier sides of the channel. According to Upstack, he’ll oversee service distributor relationships and sales operations.

“Our knowledge and relationships with suppliers of the products and services necessary to solve our customer’s mission-critical challenges is vital. We will be working closely with our suppliers to create the most cost-effective go-to-market strategies for their products and services along with a buying experience for our advisors and end-customers that is the best in the industry,” Caruso said.

Upstack continues to fill out its leadership team after hiring Meghan Hambacher Wilkinson as senior vice president of customer experience.

Background

Caruso is moving to a partner company after a career on the supplier side.

Upstack’s Nicholas Caruso

He spent the last three years at Zayo Group. He started as vice president of channel sales and finished as head of global channels and partnerships. Before Zayo, he worked at Frontier Communications as a senior channel director. Other past employers include ADP, Sarco Communications and One Communications.

Caruso said he turned to Upstack because of its entrepreneurial culture. He also described Upstack as “technology-focused and financially smart.”

“I left a role I enjoyed as a senior executive running a global organization to pursue an opportunity to disrupt the market with Upstack,” said Caruso. “The company’s plan to change how technology is sourced and sold has never been done before. I love the startup feeling and the vibrant culture.”

Upstack CEO Christopher Trapp praised Caruso’s business acumen.

“With two decades of success building direct and indirect go-to-market strategies along with extensive relationships with suppliers and highly influential advisers, there’s no better fit to lead Upstack’s partner and supplier development initiatives,” Trapp said.

Upstack’s Christopher Trapp

Acquisition

Upstack’s private equity-fueled acquisition campaign continued last week. The firm has already publicized the purchase of several high-performing agencies, including Cloudnexion, M2 Enterprise Group and now, LanYap Networks.

LanYap’s Angie Tocco

LanYap is a 10-year-old Phoenix-based consultancy. Co-founders Angie Tocco and Laura Dashney have joined the Upstack team as partners and managing directors. They also now hold equity in the company.

The former Mitel employees said they accepted Upstack’s offer because of the operational workload Upstack could help carry.

“We enjoyed great success and recognition, but we began to ask, ‘Is it sustainable?’ We were each chief, cook and bottle washer,” Tocco said. “Over the years, we hired operations support but always ended up working ‘in’ the business. Partnering with Upstack allows us the autonomy to focus on the aspects of the business we each find most fulfilling.”