CenturyLink's Jim Glackin Jumps to Masergy As Channel Chief: Exclusive

Former CenturyLink channel executive and telecom veteran Jim Glackin has joined Masergy in an expanded channel chief role to help the firm pump more resources into the channel.

Masergy Communications has a new leader overseeing its entire global channel team: former CenturyLink channel executive Jim Glackin, now Masergy's first-ever senior vice president of global channel.

While the hybrid networking and cloud communications provider has had vice president-level leadership over the channel in the past, Glackin's broadened role will help Masergy sharpen its focus on partners and commits more resources and investment into its channel, Glackin told CRN.

Telecom and channel veteran Glackin is now responsible for all areas of Masergy's partner sales, including master agents and agent partners.

"When you combine the heightened market demand for UCaaS, SD-WAN,and security … there’s never been a better time in history to be a Masergy partner. There is a tidal wave happening in the industry right now, and the timing is right for shared success," Glackin said.

[Related: Masergy CEO: SD-WAN 'Only In Second Inning’ As Opportunities Peak During COVID-19]

Masergy, a channel-first company that does about 80 percent of its business through partners, wants to empower solution providers to help their business customers bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic armed with the solutions they need to support a virtual workforce. Remote working has sped up the timeline for investment in cloud communications, SD-WAN and security, which has created an "enormous opportunity" for partners, Glackin said.

"With the growing demand for technology as a service, outsourced solutions, as well as the increasing customer desire to procure through indirect channels, we are poised for growth across the entire business," he said.

Plano, Texas-based Masergy is also helping partners during COVID-19 with promotions and discounted offerings to help businesses quickly deploy VPNs, reliable UCaaS, and remote contact center agents with cloud applications, he added.

Partners can expect more dedicated people and resources in place for the channel. Under Glackin, Masergy is evaluating and scaling its partner program to increase partner earnings and enhance joint marketing strategies. Masergy will be unveiling a program refresh in the coming weeks, he said.

"My role is to understand the additional needs of our channel partners and lead future investments, ensuring partners have the training, programs and opportunities needed to create win-win situations," Glackin said.

Glackin comes to Masergy after having spent nine years at telecom giant CenturyLink. He most recently served as vice president of strategic partners for more than two years and before that was area vice president of channel alliances in CenturyLink's central region. Prior to that, he served as channel director for more than six years at Qwest, which was acquired by CenturyLink in 2010. He also served as regional director for Dallas-based telecom provider AT&T.