Meet the Chiefs: John Starr, Websense
John Starr is the newly appointed vice president of channel sales and professional services at Websense, where he is responsible for working with the security software company's ecosystem of channel partners.
John Starr, vice president of Channel Sales and Professional Services at Websense
Starr: My first job was as a golf caddy. However, my first real job was working for Arthur Andersen.
The VAR Guy says: You’ve had a diverse career so far! We’re glad you decided to stay with the channel in the long-term.
Starr: Porsche 911
The VAR Guy says: This beautiful sports car has been turning heads since 1963, and was ranked in the top five in a 1999 international poll for the award of Car of the Century.
Starr: Disney World
The VAR Guy says: “The Happiest Place in the World” indeed. We hope you brought your kids along!
Starr: “Seabiscuit: An American Legend,” by Laura Hillenbrand.
The VAR Guy says: We think Hillenbrand’s account of one of the most famous racehorses of the 20th century also serves as a great analogy for a successful business: if you put in a lot of hard work and effort, great things can happen. Aside: Hillenbrand also penned the book, “Unbroken,” the account of World War II POW and Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini, which was made into a major motion picture late last year.
Starr: A new pair of skis.
The VAR Guy says: This sounds like a good way to take advantage of all the snow we’ve been having lately. And if you can’t drive to work through all the snow, at least you can ski right over it with these!
Starr: “The Good Wife.”
The VAR Guy says: This CBS drama follows Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, a woman who must provide for her family as a litigator in a law firm after her husband and former state attorney is jailed for a sex and corruption scandal. The show is currently in its sixth season.
Starr: I wanted to be a stockbroker.
The VAR Guy says: Thankfully, you decided to go into the IT industry instead—trading stocks isn’t exactly the most relaxing job in the world (then again, neither is channel sales).
Starr: “Rudy.” I was on campus when it was filmed—a bunch of my college buddies were extras.
The VAR Guy says: What a great story! It must be a real blast of nostalgia to see your college friends in the background whenever you watch this movie.
Starr: “Rudy.” I was on campus when it was filmed—a bunch of my college buddies were extras.
The VAR Guy says: What a great story! It must be a real blast of nostalgia to see your college friends in the background whenever you watch this movie.
John Starr is the newly appointed vice president of Channel Sales and Professional Services at Websense, where he is responsible for working with the security software company's ecosystem of channel partners. Starr joined Websense in January 2014 as director of Strategic Programs, working with the Websense executive team on the company's channel strategy as well as in growing its professional services organization.
Starr has held numberous executive leadership positions throughout his 15-year career in the IT industry, including his role as direcor of Strategic Progams at Vista Equity Partners and a seven-year stint working on IBM's strategy practice.
What is Meet the Chiefs?
Meet the Chiefs shines the spotlight on the channel’s head honchos and offers an opportunity to learn a little bit about the person beyond his or her company profile. Click on each photo to learn more about the channel chief you’re viewing.
Want to be included in an upcoming Meet the Chiefs? Send an email to The VAR Guy Associate Editor Michael Cusanelli at [email protected] for more information. He’s really good at answering emails on time, we promise.
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