IBM Names New North American Channel Chief

IBM named Tami Duncan the company's new North American channel chief, filling a position that has been vacant for the past four months, CRN has learned.

Duncan, whose title will be vice president, business partner and midmarket sales, replaces Bill Donohue, who previously held the job and retired from IBM in August after a 32-year career with the Armonk, N.Y., company.

Sources familiar with the matter told CRN that Duncan was tapped for the position earlier this week and begins her new job Feb. 1. IBM declined to comment.

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IBM channel partners told CRN that Duncan has been a rising star at IBM.

"Duncan is extremely competent and authentic in her relationships. She doesn't just go through the motions. What she'll do for the channel, how she'll do, I have no idea. But I love that she's relatable and approachable," said an IBM partner who asked not to be identified.

The news of Duncan's appointment comes less than a week after IBM named 29-year IBM veteran Marc Dupaquier the company's new general manager of Global Business Partners.

Over the course of an 23-year career with IBM, Duncan has held a variety of positions, most recently as Client Advocacy Executive, according to her LinkedIn profile. In that role she coordinated and managed client relations for IBM's top executives, including CEO Ginni Rometty.

Prior to that, Duncan served as IBM's Northeast Regional Business team leader of business consultants for the company's full product line. She spent four years managing a $1.5 billion book of business as North American director of sales facilitating hardware, software and services through Avnet and its downstream IBM Business Partners, according to her LinkedIn profile.

PUBLISHED JAN. 20, 2014