The Future Is Bright: Winners Of The Annual GTDC Rising Star Awards

Top Of The Heap

Several vendors received Rising Star awards at the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) annual U.S. vendor summit in Newport Beach, Calif. For 2013, vendors with exceptional sales growth through U.S. distributors were given recognition. Take a look at the 12 Gold, Silver and Bronze GTDC Rising Star winners.

Software Bronze Winner ($20M and above)

Autodesk

Bill Fawcett, director of North American distribution at Autodesk (right), accepts the Bronze award from GTDC CEO Tim Curran (center) and Rick Hamada, CEO of Avnet, for the third-highest growth among software companies with revenue between $20 million and $100 million.

In a statement, Ken Bado, executive vice president of worldwide sales at Autodesk, said, "Our distribution partners are integral to our business, so it's an honor for Autodesk to be recognized by GTDC. As we strive to deliver software applications that help customers make Digital Prototyping their standard approach to design, our distributors are doing a terrific job helping us achieve our goal."

Software Silver Winner ($20M and above)

CommVault Systems

CommVault Systems' Scott Skidmore (center left), vice president of channel sales for the Americas, and Peter Kobs (center right), vice president of Americas, accept the Silver award from GTDC's Curran and Avnet's Hamada.

"Our partners have played a critical role in helping CommVault achieve the success and growth we have today. Winning the Rising Star Award validates our commitment to help our partners build and sustain their data management practices," said Skidmore in a statement. "We remain focused in advancing our technology leadership and in enhancing the capabilities and engagement models with our partners to solve our customers' data and information management challenges."

Software Gold Winner ($20M and above)

RSA Security

Annie Sabik, distribution manager at RSA Security, accepts the Gold Rising Star award for the highest growth among software companies with revenue through distribution between $20 million and $100 million.

Hardware Bronze Winner ($25M-$100M)

Aruba Networks

Doug DiNunzio (center), director of distribution strategy and channel enablement at Aruba, accepts the Bronze Rising Star award for hardware companies with revenue through distribution between $25 million and $100 million. In 2012, Aruba Networks had a Silver Rising Star rank in the $25 million to $100 million category.

Hardware Silver Winner ($25M-$100M)

Symantec

Symantec's Tricia Atchison (center left), senior director of channel marketing, and Erick Foy (far right), distribution director, accept the Silver award from GTDC's Curran and Avnet's Hamada.

Hardware Gold Winner ($25M-$100M)

Isilon Systems, Inc.

Isilon System Senior Director George Hope accepts the Gold award among hardware companies with the most revenue growth through distribution with sales between $25 million and $100 million.

Hardware Bronze Winner ($100M-$500M)

Brocade

With two consecutive winnings for the Bronze Rising Star award two years in a row is Brocade for the $100 million to $500 million category. Brocade's Laurie Potratz, senior director of U.S. channel sales; Eric Buck, director of Americas and federal distribution sales; and Raelyn Kritzer, global channel marketing, accept the Bronze award from GTDC's Curran and Avnet's Hamada. "The IT industry is in the midst of a major transformation; in response to that, distributors have had to make major investments in sales enablement services and lead generation support to help resellers quickly adapt to industry changes and achieve success," said Barbara Spicek, vice president of global channels at Brocade, in a statement. "As a company that deeply values its partnerships, this recognition serves as further validation that Brocade's approach of putting partner profitability first resonates loud and clear in the channel. Brocade is honored to be recognized by GTDC yet again as a 'Rising Star' among technology vendors."

{C}

Hardware Silver Winner ($100M-$500M)

Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks' HoJin Kim, senior director, and Donna Grothjan, vice president of worldwide distribution, accept the Silver award from GTDC's Curran and Avnet's Hamada.

Hardware Gold Winner ($100M-$500M)

Sharp

Michael Marusic, vice president of marketing and service at Sharp, accepts the Gold award for most growth of any company with $100 million to $500 million in annual hardware sales through distribution.

"Sharp is honored to receive the Rising Star award because it highlights our strong relationship with our IT distributors," said Marusic in a statement. "Our technology distributors are the foundation of our channel success and help drive innovation in the industry. Being recognized for our work with these distributors really means a lot to this company and we strive to enhance these valuable partnerships."

Hardware Bronze Winner ($500M and above)

NetApp

Keith Macove, director of channel sales at NetApp, accepts the Bronze award for $500 million and above in hardware sales.

Hardware Silver Winner ($500M and above)

EMC

Last year, EMC won the Gold Rising Star award for most hardware sales through distribution for the $500 million and above category. However, this year EMC won the Silver Rising Star award for the $500 million and above category. Maureen Perrelli (center), Americas distribution manager at EMC, accepts the award from GTDC's Curran and Avnet's Hamada.

"Distribution is one of the most important parts of a successful Partner program." Leonard Iventosch, vice president of America channel sales at EMC, said in a statement. "EMC is heavily investing in the Channel to provide the most Partner-friendly experience in the industry and is working ever more closely with our Velocity Distributors to help them deliver more value-add to their network of resellers. We're honored to be recognized by GTDC, and believe we have the right products and go-to-market strategy to drive even more business with our Distributors."

Hardware Gold Winner ($500M and above)

Samsung

Samsung's Greg Taylor, vice president of enterprise business division sales, accepts the Gold Rising Star award from GTDC's Curran and Avnet's Hamada.

"It's an honor to see Samsung win the Global Technology Distribution Council's top award for year over year growth," said Tod Pike, senior vice president at Samsung's enterprise business division, in a statement. "This achievement is a testament to the importance we place on the enterprise in bringing products to market with the support of our distribution partners. Samsung and our IT distributors share a common goal of delivering technology that solves real business challenges every day."

2013 GTDC Excellence Award

Lenovo's Chris Frey, vice president of the North American commercial channel and SMB, was gifted the inaugural GTDC Excellence Award in recognition of outstanding support to the GTDC and the technology distribution industry.