Broadvoice, Intelisys, Windstream Alums Join Telarus

Telarus has hired two new senior partner development managers on opposite sides of the country.

G.R. Heryford is tasked with the Pacific Northwest. He’ll recruit partners and help existing partners grow their technology portfolios.

Telarus said Heryford has supported channel partners in the Northwest for 16 years. Mike Bettilyon, area vice president of the west for Telarus, said Heryford will focus on Washington and Oregon.

Telarus’ G.R. Heryford

“We have known G.R. during his very successful career and have been big fans of his work. He knows this business; he knows who the players are, and most of all, he knows the value Telarus brings to our partners,” Bettilyon said.

Heryford worked in a similar role serving the “PNW” at Intelisys. Other past employers include the regional master agent Trinity Network Solutions, Wave Broadband, Integra Telecom and Qwest Communications. He credited Telarus for its investment in tools, technology and engineering.

“For over a decade, I’ve been working with partners in the Pacific Northwest helping them start, grow, and even sell their businesses. Many have become trusted friends. I’m so proud to be joining the Telarus team as Telarus has always stood for innovation, respect, and a total commitment to providing an unsurpassed partner experience.” Heryford said. “… I’m excited to continue executing on the company’s vision of unlocking huge opportunities with the industry’s top producers. I already know most of the Telarus partners here, and I am very excited to help them unleash their growth potential using all the providers in our portfolio. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to help partners expand beyond their traditional product lines, so they can benefit from the opportunities that cloud, cybersecurity, and contact center represent.”

Telarus’ Don Gaus

The Utah-based master agent also hired Don Gaus to assist partners in Florida.

“We are super excited to welcome Don as our new senior partner development manager of Florida,” said Ruth Morford, area VP of the East for Telarus. “… He’ll be laser-focused on getting our valued partners in Florida, helping them connect with the education and resources they need to expand into the fastest-growing areas of technology brokerage: cybersecurity and cloud contact center.”

Gaus holds deep experience working for UCaaS companies. He came from Broadvoice, where he was a channel development manager, and he held the same role at YipTel. He also spent multiple-year stints at CenturyLink and Windstream, where he oversaw IT accounts.

“Working for suppliers my entire career, I’m excited to join a provider-agnostic master agent so I can unleash my knowledge and experience to benefit our Florida sales partners,” said Gaus. “Telarus has established itself as the fastest-growing master agent in the world, and I’m excited to help them translate that success to Florida, the birthplace of GeoQuote and site of the 2018 Telarus Partner Summit. Down here, the best sales partners are relationship-driven and expect you to perform when called upon… I’m excited to continue executing on the company’s vision of unlocking huge opportunities with the industry’s top producers. The next few years are going to bring a tremendous opportunity to our partners who really sink their teeth into leveraging Telarus to help step their customers through the digital transformation journey.”

Telarus recently hired Shane Speakman to serve as vice president of its central region.

Telarus loyalty partner program manager Kandi Phillps recently penned a blot for the Alliance of Channel Women, reflecting on the new year.