By Khali Henderson

**Editor’s Note:


Click here





to see which channel people were on the move in February and March.**

Michael Jerich is leaving his post as channel chief at Level 3 Communications Inc. to pursue another opportunity, according to a memo sent to the carrier’s channel partners Tuesday.

Effective immediately, Garrett Gee, senior director of national sales, will be the interim indirect channel leader until a new channel head is named, according to the memo from Karl Strohmeyer, group vice president of North American Enterprise Sales for Level 3. “We are dedicated to bringing in the right caliber of talent to lead the Partner Program and plan to do so thoughtfully,” Strohmeyer wrote.

Jerich was named vice president of indirect channels for Level 3 in October 2011 following the carrier’s merger with Global Crossing, where Jerich served as vice president of channel sales. Jerich is credited with the successful integration of the two carriers’ channel programs. In his memo, Strohmeyer wrote that Jerich “has shown great leadership integrating and building the program to what it has become today.”

In January,  Jerich rolled out a new channel strategy that combined the respective agency and referral partner programs of both carriers and introduced a new partner program for VARs.

Strohmeyer’s memo assured its partners that the company remains committed to the channel despite Jerich’s departure. “Level 3 will further invest in the channel and we are committed to improving the quality of service and experience. Continue to work with your account team and expect the same level of responsiveness and attention,” he stated.

Channel Partners has left messages for Jerich to find out more about his plans and will update readers.