By Khali Henderson

Global Crossing Ltd. tapped former Level 3 Communications sales exec Michael Jerich as its vice president of channel sales, effective May 1. Jerich will report to fellow Level 3 alum Craig Butrym, who joined Global Crossing in February in a newly created post as group vice president of government services, indirect/channel partner and inside sales.

While Butrym will interface with the carrier’s management team in a strategic role, Jerich will manage the day-to-day operations of the channel. The duo expects to publicly release plans for the Global Crossing partner program June 2.

The channel leadership position at Global Crossing has been a revolving door. Prior to Jerich, Charles Murray held the post of vice president of indirect channels for just 10 months. Murray took the post vacated by Jeff Callahan in April 2008 after only a year. Previously, the role was held by James D’Arcangelo, who also was vice president of strategic marketing at the time.

The leadership changes have caused agents to question the carrier’s commitment to the indirect sales channel. Butrym said Jerich’s selection should put partners on notice that things are going to be different going forward. “Mike brings a level of experience and tenure that we have not had in this channel,” said Butrym. “To me, that’s the strongest statement we can make to our commitment and investment.”

Prior to joining Global Crossing, Jerich was the vice president of sales at Level 3. While there, he helped build Level 3’s first indirect channel program and was responsible for the company’s indirect sales organization and $75 million in revenue. In addition to designing and implementing an entire partner recruitment strategy, Jerich managed and negotiated Level 3’s reseller, wholesale, system integrator and VAR agreements, as well as their strategic relationships. He also helped build new channel support vehicles, including a 10-person partner support desk, a master reseller program, the Level 3 partner advisory council, and a partner recruitment database.

Jerich also previously worked as national channel sales director at NTT/Verio. He was accountable for the profitability of the indirect sales group as well as for 100 partners in the program. He also held addition sales positions at Tripp-Lite Manufacturing, Aprisma Management Technologies and Qwest Communications.

Jerich was graduated from Stanford University in June 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in international business and political science with a minor in French and economics.