SonicWall Taps New CEO, COO: Exclusive

‘Partner-first isn’t a slogan, it’s an operating principle. We reinforce it by reducing friction, simplifying engagement and investing in tools that help partners deliver proactive, outcome-driven security rather than managing disconnected point products,’ says Paul Ilse, SonicWall’s new president and CEO.

Network security giant SonicWall has named new executive leadership as it enters its next phase of growth, naming two executives from the company’s private equity backers as CEO and COO.

Paul Ilse has been tapped as president and CEO and Carolyn McCarthy was named COO, effective immediately. Both come from Francisco Partners, which acquired SonicWall with the help of Elliott Management, in 2016 from Dell Software Group.

Their appointments come as Bob VanKirk departs SonicWall after three years as president and CEO.

“SonicWall announced new executive leadership to guide the company through its next phase of growth, reinforcing its position as the global leader in delivering a platform of cybersecurity solutions to MSPs and the SME customers they serve,” a SonicWall spokesperson told CRN in an email. “As part of this transition, President and Chief Executive Officer Bob VanKirk departed the company. The company thanks Mr. VanKirk for his leadership and contributions over the past three years.”

The spokesperson did not disclose the reason for VanKirk's departure. CRN has reached out to him for comment.

Both Ilse (pictured above) and McCarthy bring extensive operational leadership and a strong track record of scaling technology companies. Their combined experience will help reinforce SonicWall’s global market position, drive continued innovation across its cybersecurity platform and further strengthen the company’s partner-first strategy, SonicWall said. Both leaders also bring deep familiarity with SonicWall and its ecosystem, with Ilse having served in an executive role at the company following the Dell divestiture and McCarthy having worked closely with SonicWall, when it was part of the Dell Software Group.

In 2016, SonicWall closed its acquisition by San Francisco-based investment firm Francisco Partners and Elliott Management as part of the private equity group’s purchase of the Dell Software Group. Other parts of the Dell Software Group, including Quest Software and One Identity, also began operating independently.

“Success means partners see SonicWall as easier to work with, more predictable and more valuable to their customers,” Ilse told CRN in an exclusive email interview. “You’ll see stronger platform adoption, higher renewal rates, improved partner profitability and a clear reputation for execution, not just vision.”

For the last 10 years, Ilse has been the managing operating partner at Francisco Partners where he led and advised numerous global technology businesses, helping them accelerate growth, operational performance and transformation. He previously served in an executive role at SonicWall after the Dell divestiture, providing him with unique insight into the company’s business model, product portfolio and partner ecosystem.

He said success for SonicWall over the next 12 to 24 months will be measured by how partners experience the company day to day.

“Partner-first isn’t a slogan, it’s an operating principle,” he said. “We reinforce it by reducing friction, simplifying engagement and investing in tools that help partners deliver proactive, outcome-driven security rather than managing disconnected point products.”

McCarthy joined Francisco Partners as senior operating partner in 2025. In previous roles, she served as CFO and COO of Quest Software and One Identity. Earlier in her career, she was CFO of Dell’s Software Group and spent 17 years at Dell Technologies where she held multiple CFO leadership roles. She also held finance and corporate development roles at PepsiCo and Electronic Data Systems.

Drawing on her previous experience with SonicWall through Dell Software Group, she said that familiarity allows her to move quickly while staying focused on current partner needs.

“It allows me to build on what works, avoid past pitfalls and focus immediately on execution rather than orientation,” she told CRN in an email. “At the same time, I’ll continue to engage with customers and partners to ensure we’re advancing their priorities today.”

She said her focus as COO will be on ensuring the company operates with consistency and predictability as it scales.

“What excites me most is the chance to help drive disciplined, consistent execution at a company that is so essential to partners and customers worldwide,” she said. “SonicWall has strong fundamentals, and my role is to help ensure we execute predictably, scale effectively and consistently deliver a high-quality experience across every region and function.”

Both Ilse and McCarthy emphasized that the company remains focused on “disciplined execution, partner success and long-term growth,” with a continued commitment to practical, reliable cybersecurity solutions for SMB and midmarket customers.

Ilse also pointed to a measured approach to AI as part of SonicWall’s innovation strategy.

“AI is a force multiplier for people, not a replacement,” he said. “We’re using AI to reduce noise, surface what matters and improve response speed, while keeping humans firmly in control. Trust, transparency and accuracy come first.”

Both leaders promised continuity as well as progress, stressing that the partner is at the center of everything they do.

“We are focused on their success, and we intend to build forward with disciplined execution, clarity and consistency,” Ilse said. “This is about progress, not reinvention, and doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.”

McCarthy echoed that message, adding that partners should expect a company that is easier to work with and more dependable.

“We are focused on execution excellence,” she said. “Our goal is to make SonicWall a company you can depend on every day, in every region, while we strengthen the foundation for responsible growth and continued partner trust.”