HP Taps Outsider As Americas Channel Chief

According to an internal HP e-mail distributed late Thursday, Adrian Jones has accepted the position of vice president and general manager for the Americas Solution Partners Organization, effective March 1. Prior to joining HP, Jones was the senior vice president of worldwide sales and services at McData Corp., responsible for all products and revenues worldwide. He has also held senior executive positions at Pillar Data Systems, BakBone Software and Quantum, according to the e-mail.

HP has scheduled a press conference for 5 p.m. EST Friday to announce the new Americas channel chief.

Jones could not be reached for comment late Thursday. HP declined to comment.

The HP e-mail said, in part, "Adrian's broad base of experience in sales, hardware, storage and in establishing strong relationships with channel partners make him an excellent choice for this position. Adrian has a proven record as a change agent, and throughout his career in the U.K., Japan, and the U.S., his inspirational leadership style has consistently motivated sales organizations to deliver on revenue and profit objectives while simultaneously growing market share. "

The e-mail also stated: "With more than 25 years of channel leadership and more than 25,000 partners in the Americas, HP's strong channel partnerships are a key strategic advantage in the marketplace and central to our business strategy. By continuing to focus on supporting partner success in the mid-market and by enabling partner growth with Attach Plus, Adrian, along with the entire Americas channel team, will strengthen our commitment to assisting partners in growing their business and delivering the solutions customers demand."

At the time of Thompson's departure last year, Mike Larson, senior vice president and general manger, HP Personal Systems Group, Americas, said he was looking for an individual with value and volume channel management experience who has a working relationship with solution providers and distributors. He added that the individual will also need to be a team player who can build consensus among many different HP divisions. While Larson and HP may have found their man, solution providers contacted late Thursday said Jones was an unknown. "I've never heard of him, but I trust that HP sees something in him that will help keep its channel momentum going," said one solution provider who asked not to be identified.