Introducing the 2022 Channel Futures Technology Advisor (Agent) 101 — Part 1, A-L

Welcome to the Technology Advisor 101, the channel’s first recognition of people leading the agent model into the future.

Channel Futures is launching the very first vendor- and distributor-agnostic list of top leaders in the agent channel. These individuals have demonstrated their commitment to business success, customer experience and thought leadership.

Technology advisors, more traditionally known as agents, are one of the channel’s best kept secrets. The partner model emerged decades ago in the form of “circuit slinging” telecom brokers and has evolved with the changing technological landscape. They source a wide variety of technologies, ranging from WAN services to cybersecurity. These partners drive deep relationships with customers, acting as vendor-neutral sourcing experts for a deep portfolio of suppliers.

On the other hand, vendors have relied on them as a critical multiplier for their sales footprint. They have represented some of the world’s largest telecommunications carriers over the years and continue to do so, and an influx of collaboration, cloud services and cybersecurity providers have relied on them to unlock customer markets in recent years.

Under the Radar

Despite their efforts on behalf of both customers and vendors, these agencies have flown under the radar. As small shops that rarely employ marketing personnel, technology advisors have traditionally spent their time focusing on landing deals and making customers happy. But now the time has come for a long overdue recognition of this influential group of partners.

Channel Futures compiled the list through nominations by advisory board members, national technology services distributors and other industry groups. Then, the Channel Futures editorial team vetted and finalized the group of honorees, taking into consideration their firms’ financial performance and their reputation in the industry.

We present these honorees here in alphabetical order. This first grouping runs from A-L. You can find the second list, M-Z, here.

You can also download a full list of the honorees here.