PHONE+ magazine has announced the winners in its Top 15 Channel Managers and Top 50 Channel Programs contest.

The winners are Jeff Balsewich, TNCI; Hilary Corno, TelePacific Communications; Suzanne Duda, PAETEC; Steve Ferrigno, One Communications; Manny Ferrufino, Qwest; Amir Hojjatnia, TelePacific Communications; David Luther, BCN Solutions Express; Ruth Morford, ACC Business; Mara Nursement, TNCI; Tara Purcell, AT&T; Brian Sheehan, AboveNet; Art Solares, First Communications; Melanie Sunahara, Global Crossing; Dan Szabo, Qwest; and William Tharp, XO Communications.

These telecom professionals were nominated by master agents, subagents and independent agents. The nominees names were placed on a ballot and voted on by PHONE+ readers and supporters.

PHONE+ is proud to honor these individuals. It is their hard work and dedication that makes the indirect channel a successful and well-oiled machine, said Mike Saxby, group publisher for PHONE+.

Hundreds of companies submitted their channel program details in hopes of being recognized as a Top 50 Channel Program. Voted on by indirect sales partners, these communications suppliers — carriers, resellers, master agents and manufacturers — provide their agents with that extra something — extra attention, rapid quotes, sales training or special promotions — that makes agents want to do business with them.

The Top 50 Channel Programs as selected by its readers are: 5 Star Communications, ACC Business, AccuConference, AireSpring Communications, AT&T Inc., Avaya Inc., Bandwave Systems, Broadview Networks, Cavalier Telephone, Comstar Interactive, The Conference Group, Covad Communications, CTI Group (Holdings), Eastern IT Group LLC, Embarq, Excel Telecommunications, Granite Telecommunications, Hughes Network Systems LLC, InterCall, iTEMize Technologies, Level 3 Communications, McGraw Communications, McLeodUSA, MegaPath, MicroCorp Inc., NBS, New Edge Networks, NuVox Communications, Once Communications Corp., PAETEC, Pioneer Telephone, PowerNet Global Communications, Premiere Global Services, Qwest Communications, Samsung BCS, ShoreTel, Speakeasy, Sprint Nextel, TBI, Telarus Inc., Time Warner Cable Business Class, TMC Communications, TNCI, UCN Inc., US Signal Co., USA Digital Communication Inc., Verizon, Wholesale Carrier Services Inc., World Telecom Group, and XO Communications.

PHONE+ is honored to bestow special recognition upon these standouts. Their support for the indirect channel, and gains in the telecom industry overall, are much appreciated and lauded, Saxby said.

The results are published in the magazines first-ever Channel Program Guide special issue, available now at www.phoneplusmag.com/ebooks.