F5 Networks: Dean Darwin Back As Channel Chief
The VAR Guy reached out to Hale earlier this week with a question, and learned that he had left F5. According to a spokeswoman for the company:
Hello again Dean Darwin, goodbye Steve Hale. Darwin (not pictured) has rejoined F5 Networks as channel chief, replacing Hale (pictured), according to The VAR Guy (not pictured). Details about the change are sketchy but here are some early details.
The VAR Guy reached out to Hale earlier this week with a question, and learned that he had left F5. According to a spokeswoman for the company:
“Steve is no longer [with] F5. His predecessor, Dean Darwin, is back. … Dean is a channel rock star and we’re pleased that he has returned.”
In fact, F5 “beckoned” Darwin back to the company, the spokeswoman adds.
Hmmm. So what happened to Hale? Our resident blogger is still looking for answers. (Steve: You know where to reach The VAR Guy if you’d like to talk…). F5’s partner program seemed to be accelerating under Hale.
Still, Darwin does have a strong reputation as a channel chief. VARBusiness named Darwin one of the IT channel’s top executives in 2006. And VARBusiness certified F5 as a Five Star Vendor in early 2007. (Memo to The VAR Guy: Go green and stop plugging print magazines…)
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