NetIQ Beefs Up Channel Management Team

Michael Ragusa, now vice president of NetIQ's worldwide channel sales, spent almost 10 years with Computer Associates International, where he most recently managed CA's North American channel teams and worldwide OEM sales.

At NetIQ, Ragusa will be responsible for increasing relationships with systems integrators, VARs and distributors, according to the San Jose-based company. He also will oversee the expansion of NetIQ's channel-only offerings and the company's growth into the SMB market.

The channel generates about half of NetIQ's revenues, according to the company.

Also joining the company is Kevin Higgins, a former IBM executive who headed IBM's systems management sales team.

NetIQ announced that Higgins and Paul Murray are now vice presidents of NetIQ's direct sales team. Murray most recently was vice president of worldwide channel sales for NetIQ. Before that, he was director of the security vendor's Emerging Markets division. Murray is largely credited by the company for creating its channel sales program.