10 Things To Know About The Thoma Bravo-Proofpoint Deal And Stock Hike

April 26, 2021, 02:15 PM EDT

Here’s a look at how Proofpoint can leverage Thoma Bravo’s expertise and track record to its advantage, the likelihood of another buyer coming in with a superior bid for Proofpoint, and why this deal is likely to kick off a tech M&A spree.

3. Proofpoint Channel Team Gains New Faces, Loses A Familiar One

Proofpoint has completely revamped its channel organization this year, bringing in ex-Bitdefender and Fortinet partner leader Joe Sykora (pictured) to serve as the company’s first-ever global channel chief. In his first four months at Proofpoint, Sykora has brought on Bitdefender and Fortinet teammate Bill Bellano to run channels in the Eastern U.S. as well as McAfee’s Chari Rhoades to build out global partner programs.

At the same time, Americas channel chief Keith Joseph left Proofpoint after nearly three years to pursue another opportunity, Sykora told CRN in late February.

Sykora told CRN that the company is in the process of rolling out partner specializations around its security awareness training and insider threat management offerings, based off the acquisitions of Wombat and ObserveIT, respectively. The specializations are intended to make it easier for partners to sell, demo and provide value-added services around these emerging technologies, according to Sykora.