Managed-services provider Cbeyond is making good on its intent to attract more master agents to its channel program.

On Tuesday, the company said it has signed San Diego-based Communications Management Services (CMS), owned by Gene Foster, to its rolls. The announcement comes several months after Zane Long, Cbeyond’s channel chief, told Channel Partners the provider would be adding several regional and national agents.

“The master agent program in particular is new to Cbeyond and is made up of a very exclusive group of nationally recognized master agents in the telecom industry,” he said in fall of 2011. “We are choosing master agents based on extensive reviews of their capabilities, and we have determined that they are best positioned to add tremendous value to Cbeyond.”

CMS has become one of those partners. Now, its agents may sell Cbeyond’s services  including cloud, voice, broadband, mobility, messaging and security  to SMBs. Long hailed the addition of CMS to Cbeyond’s program.

“CMS is a stellar partner for Cbeyond because they have the ability to help solve the complex voice and data needs of small to midsized businesses through a personal, consultative approach,” he said in a prepared statement.

For Foster, teaming with Cbeyond is significant.

“I am impressed at the renewed focus Cbeyond has taken with the channel,” said Foster, who serves as president, CEO and CFO of CMS. “With their product portfolio and strong agent and customer support, I know this will be a very beneficial partnership.”

Cbeyond gives master agents benefits including live and virtual training and a one-time, up-front payment for every new customer.