Zoom Selects VMware, Palo Alto Networks Vet as Channel Leader

Todd Surdey has joined Zoom as head of global channel and business development. Surdey, an executive with experience in everything from software sales to the cloud, has served in leadership roles at Google, Palo Alto Networks, SAP, Salesforce and VMware, among others.

Zoom’s Todd Surdey

He brings with him an intimate knowledge of running enterprise businesses, a Zoom spokesperson said. Surdey has a long history with and passion for the channel, all of which is critical as Zoom continues to scale the channel and partner business.

“I am thrilled to join Zoom as we continue to expand our channel ecosystem and work tirelessly to ensure partner happiness and our joint success,” Surdey said. “I look forward to continue building on current momentum and focusing on providing partners the support and resources necessary enabling them to grow, sell and transact more easily with Zoom.”

Previous Channel Experience

Notably, Surdey spent five years at VMware, finishing as VP of strategic alliances and emerging partners. There, he set channel strategy for more than 70,000 independently owned and operated partner companies worldwide. Surdey had oversight into VMware’s partner capacity management, sales and technical readiness, partner incentives and digital engagement. He ensured VMware’s go-to-market decisions were made with a business unit and partner-led approach.

Airtable’s Laura Padilla

Surdey replaces Laura Padilla as Zoom’s head of global channel. Padilla was the company’s channel chief for four years.

“We are grateful for Laura’s many contributions to Zoom, which helped to grow our global partner and channel sales organization into the strong team it is today,” a Zoom spokesperson said in May.

Padilla left the company that month to join enterprise software company Airtable as vice president, global partners and services.