Vonage Channel Gets Ex-Windstream, X4 Leader

Just weeks after Mario DeRiggi vacated the role, Curt Allen is taking over as Vonage channel chief effective July 13.

DeRiggi, who spent two years as Vonage’s channel chief, is now Fusion Connect’s chief revenue officer.

Vonage’s Curt Allen

Last November, Allen stepped down from his role as Windstream Enterprise’s president of strategic channels. He moved to an advisory role with the company.

“I am very excited to be joining an organization like Vonage that is so committed to the success of its partners and to enabling customers’ digital transformation journeys,” Allen said. “Vonage is the only company that can deliver a truly unified, end-to-end communication experience, from unified communications to contact centers, and the integration of video, voice, messaging, chat and verification into customers’ applications, products and workflows. Vonage’s continued investment and considerable growth in the channel underscores this dedication and I am looking forward to contributing to this ongoing success for the company, its partners and their customers.”

Building on Vonage Channel Growth

Vonage says channel sales have grown significantly over the past year, which is a critical component of its go-to-market strategy. It continues to invest in channel leadership to keep this momentum going.

“We are thrilled to welcome Curt to the Vonage team,” said Rodolpho Cardenuto, president of Vonage’s applications group. “Vonage has a tremendous channel program built on an extremely solid foundation. And we remain committed to growing this integral part of our business. Well known for his results-oriented and collaborative spirit, Curt is a natural choice to lead our growing and dynamic channel organization through its next successful chapter.”

Allen emerged from retirement to become Windstream’s channel chief almost three years ago. And after Windstream filed chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, he took on the task of cutting 15% of Windstream’s partners while increasing commissions for the remaining partners selling strategic products. The company also consolidated partners on a single agreement in accordance with the bankruptcy court’s ruling.

Prior to Windstream, Allen was president and part owner of X4 Solutions, the former master agency. Sandler Partners acquired X4 in 2016. Allen then continued as president of channel, with the goal of ensuring a smooth transition and retaining all active sales partners.

Last month, Vonage appointed Rory Read as its CEO and member of its board of directors. Read previously was with Dell Technologies. He replaced Alan Masarek, who is stepping down as CEO and board member.