CenturyLink Names New Indirect Sales Leaders

CenturyLink has made more changes to its channel leadership with the appointments of vice presidents to lead indirect sales in the East and West.

The communications giant promoted Greg Fry to vice president of indirect sales for the East. He’s been with CenturyLink for nearly six years, serving in a variety of leadership roles. Most recently, he was senior executive of sales and business development.

CenturyLink’s Greg Fry

“My new role will focus on driving strategic growth opportunities for our East indirect channel division,” he said. “We are focused on optimizing our team structure to provide expanded sales support to our partners and customers. We will work closely with our customer experience teams to deliver further partner self-enablement, while anticipating customer growth needs. Lastly, we will focus on expanded employee career-pathing and development opportunities.”

Craig Patterson will be vice president of indirect sales for the West in an expanded role. He previously was vice president of channel sales.

“My role is expanding beyond the traditional outside field channel sales organization,” he said. “I will now be leading a 100-plus person division for CenturyLink’s indirect program, which includes the outside channel sales organization, inside channel sales team, indirect retention organization, and national strategic organization for the West division.”

Patterson’s top priority is simplifying the partner experience, while driving more strategic opportunities.

CenturyLink’s Craig Patterson

“As a partner of CenturyLink, you should expect to see focus on closing more significant deals, as well as more collaboration across the inside and outside sales organizations, including our national strategic partner organization,” he said. “The goal is more attention, gratitude and ultimately an improved experience working with CenturyLink.”

Fry and Patterson both report to Garrett Gee, CenturyLink‘s channel chief. The company said it made the appointments to “provide the best and most comprehensive support to its channel partners.”

Further Consolidation

CenturyLink has also consolidated its indirect inside sales teams and national channel managers under these men’s leadership to deliver an improved partner and customer experience.

On June 1, Lisa Miller resigned as CenturyLink’s president of wholesale, indirect and SME. She left the company to pursue other opportunities.

Ed Morche, who was CenturyLink’s president of North America enterprise and public sector, took over leadership duties for the indirect organization. His role expanded to include leading the indirect sales organization, in addition to North America enterprise and public sector.