The CenturyLink channel partner program announced new leaders, and RingCentral formed yet another new partnership.

Several significant personnel appointments took place this week. Two master agents filled positions, and CenturyLink announced two big promotions. We also covered a third RingCentral strategic partnership — can you guess who it is?

We compiled seven stories from the last week. Check them out before you start your weekend.

7. Intelisys Promotes Former Paetec, XO Sales Leaders Post ScanSource Layoff Announcement

California-based Intelisys announced two promotions.

The company promoted Brandon Smith to senior vice president of national sales. Smith had been serving as vice president of business development and partner sales for the central region. Tracy Hali also earned a promotion, becoming vice president of sales operations.

Almost a month prior, Intelisys’ parent company ScanSource laid off 200 people. However, the distributor praised the master agent as a solid source of growth.

Check out Lynn Haber’s story.

6. SD-WAN Roundup: Versa, CommandLink Talk SASE, SD-WAN’s Third Wave

We talked SASE in our latest SD-WAN column.

Michael Wood, Versa Networks‘ chief marketing officer, explained why so many vendors label themselves as secure access service edge (SASE) providers. We learned about why SASE matters and how partners can frame the technology to customers.

Check out our SD-WAN roundup.

5. Windstream, Ciena Team On National Converged Optical Network

Windstream will use Ciena’s software platforms for its new network.

The national converged optical network (NCON) helps Windstream respond to increased bandwidth demands. Windstream Wholesale’s vice president of business development said all verticals need “bigger, faster, smarter and safer networks.

“NCON provides a differentiated network our customers and partners are looking for today, especially by enabling spectrum services, bandwidth flexibility, and performance analytics, including L0 and L1,” he said.

Edward Gately has the scoop.

4. New MicroCorp Sales VP Talks Rebrand, Master Agent Industry, MSP Enablement

MicroCorp’s Christopher Shubert

Chris Shubert and his new employer are pushing a new vision.

MicroCorp recently hired Shubert as its senior vice president of sales. The Georgia-based master agent has also updated its partner tools and is in the midst of a rebrand.

Shubert shared why he joined MicroCorp and offered advice to partners.

Check out our article about MicroCorp.

3. Pandemic ‘Working Like a Charm’? Cisco, McAfee, More Lead Cybersecurity Market

P&S Intelligence shared the numbers from its latest cybersecurity study.

The research firm concluded that the market will approach $434 billion by 2030. That’s a big increase from $120 billion in 2019.

Read about the study.

2. RingCentral, with New Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Pact, Poised to Be the ‘Leading UCaaS Provider’

RingCentral formed a third strategic partnership, this time with Acatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE).

The UCaaS provider is getting “exclusive access, a minimum seat commitment and future commissions” from ALE for the price of $100 million. The companies will develop a cloud offering called Rainbow Office powered by RingCentral.

RingCentral previously teamed up with Avaya and Atos in similar deals.

Read about the partnership.

1. CenturyLink Names New Indirect Sales Leaders for East, West

CenturyLink will serve its channel partner base with a newly realigned staff.

The company tapped new vice presidents of indirect sales for the East and West. They’ll oversee CenturyLink’s indirect inside sales teams and national channel managers.

“As a partner of CenturyLink, you should expect to see focus on closing more significant deals, as well as more collaboration across the inside and outside sales organizations, including our national strategic partner organization,” he said,” said Craig Patterson, who will lead the West side.

Read about Patterson and his fellow appointee.