ConnectWise Hires Former Virgin Pulse Exec Rik Thorbecke As CFO

Thorbecke most recently worked for well-being platform maker Virgin Pulse as it completed a $3 billion merger.

ConnectWise has tapped Rik Thorbecke, an executive who most recently worked for well-being platform maker Virgin Pulse as it completed a $3 billion merger, as its new chief financial officer.

Thorbecke, who assumes his role on Monday and reports directly to Jason Magee, CEO of the Tampa-based software vendor, brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role as he previously held positions as CFO, COO and advisory board member at various firms.

“Rik's exceptional track record in driving financial stability and growth will play a pivotal role in propelling ConnectWise forward, further strengthening our already remarkable financial health,” said Magee in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with Rik as we continue to expand and achieve even greater success serving our MSP partners.”

[Related: ConnectWise CEO: We’re In A ‘Time Horizon’ To Be Acquired]

Thorbecke previously worked in the software, SaaS, Internet, cloud, telecommunications and electronic manufacturing sectors and is skilled in strategic finance, mergers and acquisitions, IPO readiness, business planning, investor relations and enterprise software. Along with serving on boards, he was most recently the CFO of tech firms Virgin Pulse and Jitterbit, according to his LinkedIn page.

During his time as CFO at Virgin Pulse, the company announced a $3 billion merger with health benefits administrator HealthComp. Thorbecke left Virgin Pulse in December 2023, a month after the merger was completed.

His latest appointment comes amid speculation of a possible sale of ConnectWise. Last year, Magee said the company was in a “time horizon” to be acquired and that going public was also on the table.

“We’ve been doing a lot over the years to get in a good place operationally,” Magee told CRN in September 2023. “And when I am asked or tapped on the shoulder to go do something, if they say IPO then that’s what I’ll go do.”

In April, the company laid off “less than 100” staffers to improve operations and spearhead partner growth opportunities.

An inside source at the company, who asked to remain anonymous, said 80 positions were cut across the globe across multiple departments.

“We had a lot of redundancy from acquisitions,” the source told CRN in April. “We also had a lot of product adjustments and we’re moving into the future. We sunset some things which just leads to more job redundancy but also future job opportunities for the next generation.”