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This recognition is the latest in a series of partner program accolades that celebrate WatchGuard’s partner program momentum and technology innovation

SEATTLE – May 20, 2019 – WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader in network security and intelligence, secure Wi-Fi and multi-factor authentication (MFA), announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named four members of its leadership to the prestigious 2019 Women of the Channel list. These impressive channel leaders are instrumental in driving the success of the WatchGuardONE program with MSPs and VARs, and include: Michelle Welch, senior vice president of marketing; Shari McLaren, senior vice president of customer services and support; Coletta Vigh, director of channel development; and Maria Pinto, regional director of field marketing for EMEA. Welch has also been named to CRN’s Power 100, a subset of prominent female executives whose expertise and influence drive channel success. This recognition is just the latest in a series of channel industry honors for the WatchGuardONE partner program, which further validate the company’s unique partner-first approach.

“CRN’s 2019 Women of the Channel list honors influential leaders who are accelerating channel growth through mutually-beneficial partnerships, incredible leadership, strategic vision, and unique contributions in their field,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “This accomplished group of leaders is driving channel success and we are proud to honor their achievements.”

Continued Channel Recognition

Earlier this year, WatchGuard was recognized as one of the top technology vendors offering outstanding channel programs to IT solution providers, earning an esteemed 5-Star rating in CRN’s 2019 Partner Program Guide. This honor was based on an objective assessment of partner profitability, training, education and support, and continued investment in program offerings, marketing programs and resources, sales support and more.

Additionally, five members of the WatchGuardONE leadership group were named to CRN’s exclusive 2019 Channel Chiefs list. Honored for their exceptional leadership, vision and commitment to continually advancing the partner program, WatchGuard’s 2019 Channel Chiefs include Michelle Welch, senior vice president of marketing; Mark Romano, director of worldwide channel and field marketing; Coletta Vigh, director of channel development, Himanshu Verma, director of product management and business development; and Bryce Hjalseth, senior manager of partner experience.

WatchGuard also earned a spot on CRN’s 30 Coolest Mobile Device Management And Security Companies (for the fourth year running) and 20 Coolest Network Security Vendors lists for 2019. Both honors cited the launch of AuthPoint, WatchGuard’s cloud-based MFA solution, which eliminates the need for complex integration processes, massive up-front expenses, burdensome on-premises management requirements and other common roadblocks preventing midmarket organizations from adopting MFA.

WatchGuard Delivering More Paths to Profitability and Technology Innovation to Partners

As a 100% channel-focused company, WatchGuard is committed to continually evolving the WatchGuardONE partner program to offer simplicity and profitability for IT solution providers who want to differentiate their security portfolio with network security, secure Wi-Fi and/or MFA services. In fact, in April 2019, the company introduced a new specializations program that offers multiple paths of entry into partnership via individual trainings in Network Security, Secure Wi-Fi and MFA. By simply completing one of these product-specific sales and technical trainings, partners can earn the full financial incentives and support benefits that come with WatchGuardONE status, without having to meet any revenue thresholds or portfolio adoption criteria.

The company further emphasized its partner-first approach with the launch of the WatchGuard Cloud platform as well. A single, cloud-based interface that’s capable of providing critical threat insights and reports, unlimited scalability and easy deployment workflows, WatchGuard Cloud simplifies cyber security for IT solution providers by reducing infrastructure costs, accelerating customer acquisition and minimizing time spent on administrative tasks.