8×8 Plucks Channel Leader from Rival RingCentral as New Global Chief

8×8 has named longtime RingCentral channel vet Lisa Del Real as its new global channel chief.

8×8’s Lisa Del Real

In this role, Del Real will be responsible for leading 8×8’s channel programs globally. She’ll report to Ken Berryman, chief sales officer.

Bobby Hall served as interim global channel chief in the wake of John DeLozier’s departure last summer. DeLozier is now president of Intelisys.

Hall will resume responsibility for 8×8’s channel program and team in North America, and will report directly to Del Real.

Del Real most recently was RingCentral‘s vice president of strategic partnerships. She joined RingCentral more than 11 years ago.

Moreover, Del Real is a Channel Futures Circle of Excellence winner. Before RingCentral, she held executive positions in the financial services industry.

Huge Market Opportunity

“Moving off legacy on-premises systems to cloud communications is a huge market opportunity,” Del Real said. “And a strong majority of the channel partner community view a single-vendor, integrated cloud unified communications and contact center offering as a competitive advantage [as] opposed to multi-vendor point solutions. As such, 8×8 is perfectly positioned to provide partners and their customers with truly groundbreaking products and services with the 8×8 XCaaS (eXperience Communications as a Service) solution.”

It’s an “exciting time” to be part of 8×8, Del Real said. That’s especially as it enters its next phase of growth.

“There is an incredible opportunity to scale 8×8’s global partner-first channel program that drives efforts to expand industry leadership for an integrated cloud communications and contact center solution,” she said.

Del Real said she has a “strong track record building successful global channel programs in the high-growth technology industry.”

“And as 8×8’s global channel chief, my goal is to work closely with a great group of partners around the world to help maximize growth opportunities and accelerate adoption of 8×8 XCaaS,” she said.

Channel Instrumental to 8×8

“The channel is playing an instrumental role in guiding organizations as they move off legacy, on-premises communications and customer engagement systems to empower a dynamic and hybrid workforce,” Berryman said. “Lisa’s extensive experience driving and growing successful global channel programs will allow us to accelerate adoption for our industry-leading integrated cloud unified communications and contact center solution.”

Last week, 8×8 completed its acquisition of rival Fuze for approximately $250 million. 8×8 said the deal will accelerate its XCaaS innovation, and expand its enterprise customer base and global presence.