Frank Rauch
Frank Rauch is head of worldwide channel sales for Check Point Software Technologies. Like Mary Jo Johnson, he remembers an incredible twist of fate that took place on 9/11. At the time, he was a newly minted HP employee, the result of Compaq being acquired.
“On the 10th, I hosted an event for partners. I had finally talked my vice president, Jack Novia, into coming to Philadelphia. What I didn’t know at the time was that Jack canceled his seat on the doomed United 175 flight to be with my partners.”
“Like the rest of the world, the channel paused and then rallied to help businesses directly impacted by the tragedy. We lost some great colleagues that day in the North Tower. Carly Fiorina and Michael Capellas reassured the new HP company, partners and customers.”
“Personal technology became more valued and important. Physical security became the precursor to digital security. The channel was serving a much more aware customer base with a sense of urgency.”
“The aftermath of the attack changed everything, including the channel. I took my first flight two weeks after 9/11 to host a meeting between Cris Conde (former CEO of Sungard) and Michael Capellas. The conversation was somber, different and charted the future.”
