Distribution giant Tech Data, now poised to merge with Synnex, has a new senior vice president of marketing.

Tech Data’s Catherine Solazzo

Catherine Solazzo comes to the distributor after more than 16 years at IBM. She is well-known in the channel, considering her last role at Big Blue was VP, partner ecosystem marketing.

In her new gig, Solazzo, will lead marketing in the Americas for Tech Data. One of her most important tasks will be to oversee the creation of a new integrated center of excellence (CoE). The distributor expects work around digital and data-driven approaches at the CoE will make it an even stronger aggregator of IT products and services.

Solazzo’s extensive background includes experience in digital marketing and platforms. She’s also adept at partner program development and transformation of organizations.

“Catherine’s deep experience in sales and marketing within the IT industry makes her a natural fit for this role,” said John O’Shea, Tech Data’s president of the Americas. “She is a proven leader who has orchestrated major initiatives across functional and organizational boundaries. Her experience navigating complex, matrixed organizations to drive the alignment of stakeholders is necessary to transform the Tech Data Americas business and help our customers thrive.”

Background at IBM

At IBM, Solazzo oversaw marketing programs, analytics, partner enablement programs and more. In a previous role at the IT giant, she was chief of staff for the chief digital officer. Solazzo also was VP, worldwide developer programs, and worked in Japan for a while leading performance marketing there.

“This is an incredibly exciting time to be a leader in the channel and to be stepping into this role at Tech Data,” said Solazzo. “The creation of this position and the new marketing CoE comes at a pivotal time and is evidence of the investment Tech Data is willing to make for their ecosystem partners and clients.”

Solazzo expects to help partners reach “the forefront of transformative marketing demand generation.”