Network as a Service (NaaS) provider Megaport has hired former Cobalt Iron, Nutanix and IBM executive Rodney Foreman as the company’s first chief revenue officer. The move signals Megaport's focus on delivering cloud and networking solutions through the channel and systems integrators, including the company's upcoming Megaport Virtual Edge (MVE).
MVE will enable businesses to connect to Megaport’s ecosystem of service providers from any global location to host Network Function Virtualization (NFV), such as SD-WAN capabilities, directly on Megaport’s global Software Defined Network (SDN), the company said.
In the newly created role, Foreman will lead the company’s global sales organization and be responsible for all revenue-generating programs, according to the statement.
Megaport Hires Rodney Foreman for NaaS Focus
Megaport provides NaaS solutions, including a global software defined network (SDN) that connects customers’ networks to services using a portal or via an open API, according to the company. Megaport also offers agile networking capabilities that reduce operating costs and increase speed to market compared to traditional networking solutions, according to the statemen.
Megaport partners with such cloud service providers as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google and Microsoft Azure. Megaport also has partnerships with data center operators, systems integrators and MSPs, according to the statement. Megaport is an ISO/IEC 27001-certified company.
Foreman brings more than 20 years of expertise and leadership in product management, direct sales and channel sales to Megaport, according to the statement.
Previously, as vice president of worldwide cloud channel and mid-market sales at IBM, he led a global sales team that consistently exceeded their annual revenue targets of over $1 billion USD. Most recently, Foreman was CRO at Cobalt Iron, a data protection and security SaaS provider, where he spearheaded the company's transformation to a channel-based business. He also launched successful channel sales programs at Nutanix and Informatica. Foreman is based in Austin, Texas, and will report to Megaport CEO Vincent English.
Foreman to Join Megaport as CRO: A Stellar Track Record
Commenting on the announcement, English said:
“We are excited to bring Rodney's deep expertise and track record in leading global sales organisations to Megaport. With the coming launch of Megaport Virtual Edge (MVE), which will enable the hosting of Network Function Virtualization (NFV), such as SD-WAN capabilities, Megaport has never been in a better position to maximise the revenue opportunities of a tailored and robust channel programme. With our increasing focus on the systems integrator market as well as our excellent momentum in the data centre partner space, the timing for Rodney coming onboard could not be better. His experience with product and managing scalable direct sales programs will help us further our capabilities with direct-to-customer sales while also creating even better customer and partner experiences."
Foreman added:
“I am delighted to join Megaport at an exciting time for the company. As an established leader and innovator in the cloud connectivity and NaaS space, Megaport has a huge opportunity to put their industry-changing solution in the hands of more customers and partners around the world. I look forward to working with our global teams to capture greater market share and advancing Megaport's mission to transform the way businesses, data centres, systems integrators, and managed service providers build agile networks in the cloud."
