Avaya Appoints New Worldwide Channel Leader 'Committed To Driving' Partner Program and Channel Support

Avaya has named Walter Denk as its new worldwide channel leader with plans to enhance partner programs and channel support following the company's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month.

Denk is a five-year Avaya vet previously serving as vice president of Avaya's Germany Small and Medium Business Group. He will be responsible for creating and executing Avaya's partner strategy, architecture and policy management of its Avaya Edge Partner Program.

Denk said he would lead Avaya's channel charge which is comprised of more than 7,000 solution providers worldwide.

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"With the launch of the Avaya Edge Channel Program and a number of exciting innovations announced over the past few months, partners are well positioned for success with Avaya," said Denk, in a statement. "Our partners play a critical role in Avaya's future, and as the global head of channel sales, I'm committed to driving the programs and support that partners need to excel in serving our customers, delivering world-class customer satisfaction scores, and increasing revenue."

Before joining Avaya in 2012, Denk held positions in sales and marketing at Deutsche Telekom, IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Longtime Avaya veteran Gary Levy was promoted to head of U.S. channel sales. Levy has been with the vendor for more than two decades in various account manager roles. In 2010, he was promoted to director of east channel sales.

Over his Avaya career, Levy established a number of programs that built tighter relationships between Avaya and its channel, according to a release.

On Jan. 19, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company confirmed it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a move its CEO Kevin Kennedy called "the best path forward." Partners said the filing was a solid first step to getting the company back on track.