Exclusive Networks taps channel veteran Jason Beal as president, Americas: Exclusive
“This opportunity aligns with my passions for distribution and channel advocacy, and I’m thrilled to join a company leading transformation in distribution and cybersecurity,” says Beal
Exclusive Networks has tapped industry veteran Jason Beal as president, Americas to lead the company into a new phase of expansion.
Beal’s appointment follows the decision of Brian Vincik, senior vice president, Americas, to step down for personal reasons.
As president, Americas, for Paris-based cybersecurity distributor Exclusive Networks, Beal leverages more than two decades of leadership experience in the IT channel to drive growth and expand the company’s presence across North America, benefiting vendors and channel partners.
“Exclusive has always been at the forefront of specialist distribution, marked by its entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and great culture,” Beal told CRN in an exclusive interview.
“This opportunity aligns with my passions for distribution and channel advocacy, and I’m thrilled to join a company leading transformation in distribution and cybersecurity.”
Beal has held leadership roles throughout his tenure at several companies, including AvePoint, Palo Alto Networks and Ingram Micro.
Most recently, he was the vice president of worldwide partner ecosystems at Barracuda.
He’s touted as a seasoned global technology executive specialising in channel partnerships and go-to-market operations with a passion for building strong partnerships and a commitment to leading teams through complex challenges.
“I’m thrilled to have Jason joining Exclusive Networks and I’m confident that, with his leadership, our business in Americas will continue to thrive as we pursue our mission to be the go-to specialist in ‘trusted digital infrastructure,’” said Jesper Trolle, CEO of Exclusive Networks.
Beal has been a longtime collaborator with Exclusive Networks and shared his excitement about continuing the business’ growth trajectory in what he calls the “golden age of two-tier aggregation.”
CRN spoke with Beal about his new appointment, his vision for North American expansion and how he’s leading with a partner-first approach.
What attracted you to this role at Exclusive Networks?
“I’ve known Exclusive Networks for 15 years, having worked closely with them in Europe.
“Over that time, I developed great relationships and tremendous respect for the company.
“Exclusive has always been at the forefront of specialist distribution, marked by its entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and great culture.
“This opportunity aligns with my passions for distribution and channel advocacy, and I’m thrilled to join a company leading transformation in distribution and cybersecurity.”
Can you share your vision for Exclusive Networks’ growth in North America?
“Exclusive globally has been making strategic acquisitions, which extend to the North American business, enabling transformation in distribution and tier-two channel services.
“With recent acquisitions like CloudRise, a managed security provider, and cloud consulting firms, the vision is to remain a cybersecurity specialist while offering technical expertise and service aggregation.
“This approach supports partners as they expand their service offerings around the solutions they sell.”
What are your immediate priorities as you step into this role?
“My first priority is ensuring a smooth transition with no disruptions for partners and vendors.
“Starting Monday, I plan to meet our team, vendors and partners to listen and learn.
“We’ll focus on scaling channel service offerings, building operational excellence and maintaining our entrepreneurial, customer-first approach.
“Additionally, we’ll extend support programmes like financing for vendors and announce new partnerships soon.”
How have your experiences shaped your approach to leading a global organisation?
“Living and working in Europe for eight years, I gained a deep understanding of balancing a global strategy with local adaptability.
“Every market is unique in terms of culture, business norms and language, so successful leadership requires a partnership between corporate frameworks and local innovation.
“This philosophy drives my approach to leading channel organisations and distributors.”
Having partnered with Exclusive Networks in the past, what unique insight will you bring to this role?
“Exclusive’s reputation for market proximity, agility, sophisticated presales capabilities and comprehensive services, including financing, managed services and cloud consulting, offer a solid foundation.
“My goal is to build on this momentum, helping partners generate demand, expand their services and grow their business.”
How will you further Exclusive Networks’ mission as a trusted digital infrastructure specialist in the Americas?
“Our role is to help partners respond to the growing demand for cyber defence amid increasing threats and a talent shortage.
“We’ll provide partners with the right tools and services to deliver end-to-end solutions, protect their customers for life and scale their businesses effectively.”
With cybersecurity evolving rapidly, how will Exclusive Networks stay ahead?
“We’re addressing the global talent shortage through initiatives like acquiring training companies and partnering with institutions like Cal Poly, which helps us train and recruit top talent.
“AI is also playing a role, enhancing productivity and assisting cybersecurity operations by prioritising actions and reducing false positives, rather than replacing human expertise.”
What trends do you foresee shaping the industry, and how will Exclusive Networks adapt?
“Three trends are key.
“The shift to managed security services, supported by Exclusive’s investments and capabilities, the growing need for end-user demand generation and full customer life-cycle management, and the rise of partner hybridity, with partners focusing on wrapping services around products to drive economic value.
“Exclusive is leading these transformations by expanding its portfolio and services strategically.”
How do you plan to strengthen vendor and channel relationships while attracting new ones?
“Exclusive’s strength lies in its focused and specialised portfolio.
“We’ll continue to prioritise cybersecurity and networking, bringing together complementary vendors to create tailored solutions for specific use cases and vertical markets.
“This disciplined approach ensures value for partners and end users.”
What motivates you about leading Exclusive Networks during this pivotal moment?
“After 25 years in the channel, I see this as a golden age of two-tier aggregation.
“Distribution’s role at the centre of the ecosystem has always appealed to me and I’m excited to lead Exclusive Networks Americas at a time when the industry is rapidly evolving.”
What is your message to vendor and solution provider partners moving forward?
“Exclusive Networks Americas is here to help.
“We understand the challenges of talent shortages and cybersecurity demands, and we offer technologies and services to help partners scale their businesses and support customers for life.
“Let’s tackle these opportunities together.”
This article originally appeared on CRN UK sister website CRN.