Verizon Partners Get New Leader in Mark Tina

Mark Tina, a longtime business sales leader in the connectivity space, has taken on a new role to lead Verizon partners.

The mobility and telecommunications service provider announced this week that Tina will serve as channel chief and vice president of indirect partner sales. He takes the helm of an influential group of partner programs that have consolidated in recent years. Most recently, Tina was president of business sales for Verizon. His tenure at the company extends all the way back to 2003.

Verizon’s Mark Tina

Verizon’s Wendy Taccetta

In the meantime, Wendy Taccetta has moved out of the role of senior vice president of small business and channel chief, which she started in 2021. Taccetta now is senior vice president of retail and partner management. That change took effect in July, according to her LinkedIn profile. This move is an elevation, a Verizon spokesperson told Channel Futures. And that promotion, they said, comes after overseeing “historic results” within different channel programs. Notably they said Verizon’s agent program is leading 5G sales for Verizon Business.

Taccetta put a focus on the slogan “partner your way” during her tenure, according to the spokesperson.

“… she focused on redefining the channel experience, building customer-centric partner programs in a relaunching of Verizon Business’ channel program. Under her leadership, Verizon Business launched a new digital Partner Portal, increased partners’ customer satisfaction ratings and increased Verizon Business’ revenue from the channel, expanding the channel role from connectivity to security and consistent collaboration,” the spokesperson told Channel Futures. “Today, she is taking this customer-centric approach into a new role as senior vice president of retail and partner management for Verizon consumer group. This role will see her leverage her successful work as channel chief to architect Verizon’s new approach to retail and partner management.”

Moreover, Tina in his new appointment “looks to build on the success of the channel program.”

“His sales experience, focus on the customer and extensive knowledge of the industry is a perfect fit for the future of channel at Verizon Business. Verizon’s commitment to channel is to ensure that we have the best solutions, products and support for business customers of all sizes,” the spokesperson said. “Mark is ready to take this program even further as Verizon continues to execute on its global business strategy and its relentless commitment to deliver the best advanced solutions that businesses need to compete today.”

Perspective from Verizon Partners

Michael Pittman leads Connected Solutions Group (CSG), one of the exclusive Verizon partners and a frequent award-winner with the vendor.

He offered an unreserved endorsement of Tina.

“He has the respect of his peers as a leader, the experience on the front lines selling, and frankly years of championing partner relationships to make him – in my opinion – the ideal candidate to take over Verizon’s channel leadership,” Pittman told Channel Futures.

CSG’s Michael Pittman

Pittman said Tina brings deep experience in a “collaborative selling environment.” That tracks with the increased emphasis on co-selling Verizon has been making in recent channel news. Notably Verizon has brought members of its direct sales teams and its exclusive partners to events to foster more collaboration.

“He understands what it takes in today’s landscape to create stickier relationships with business customers, and is a firm believer that channel is the way to get in deeper and more granular with each individual customer,” he said.

Tina has spoken at those road show events.

“I have had the pleasure of traveling with Mark during promotional events and I have been in awe of his ability to command the room as a leader, speak professionally and eloquently in front of a crowd, and deliver the channel message in a clear and succinct fashion,” Pittman said.

Pittman added that Tina has engaged with him and CSG in a proactive way, rather than as “an afterthought.”

“This really allows us to be the best possible partner for Verizon as we can identify everywhere our capabilities can save our mutual customer time, money and valuable resources,” he said.