Movers and shakers

 

Vorster appointed Westcon’s F5 channel manager

Rory Vorster has been appointed as the new F5 channel manager for Westcon Security Solutions, bringing with him seven years’ experience in the IT industry. Vorster has extensive knowledge regarding account management, IT client service consulting and IT management and has provided technical IT support from a senior perspective to a large and diverse client base.

“Vorster’s rich experience in IT client services, client account management and scouting of new business opportunities give him the edge to not only give sound IT security advice but also to make sales and recognise business opportunities for F5,” says Andrew Potgieter, Security Solutions director at Westcon.

Veeam Software promotes Olivier

Warren Olivier has been promoted from regional corporate account manager to regional manager for southern Africa at Veeam Software.

Olivier, a VMware-recognised vEXPERT , has over 18 years of IT experience, with ten of those focused on virtualisation. Before joining Veeam in 2008, he worked for VMware for five years and has extensive knowledge of the virtualisation industry, infrastructure stack and partner ecosystem.

Acer management change in EMEA

Luca Rossi has been appointed president for Acer Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with effect from 1 August 2014. The current Acer EMEA president, Oliver Ahrens, will embark on a new challenge as president of the newly formed Pan-Asia Pacific regional operation, which includes China, Taiwan and Asia Pacific.

Rossi joined Acer in 2009 as regional director of Acer Europe. In 2011 he was appointed as division director for the Packard Bell brand business, and at the same time led EMEA’s consumer division as vice president. Rossi’s entrepreneurial experience and industry background have resulted in his appointment to lead the EMEA operations. Ahrens has been working closely together with Rossi over the last couple of years to establish Acer in the region and build a solid foundation for the future.

Strategic senior appointment at Global Micro

Global Micro has appointed Izak Laubscher as chief cloud architect, taking over the position from founder JJ Milner.

Until now, Milner had absorbed the responsibilities of chief cloud architect; Laubscher’s appointment allows Milner to focus on his managerial directorship role, including the growth and direction of the company.

With 15 years’ IT industry experience, and certified in information technology, computer engineering and artificial intelligence, Laubscher brings sought-after knowledge and skills to Global Micro’s cloud computing division. “The cloud is no longer just a ‘nice to have’ in the enterprise – it’s a given – and it’s becoming more pervasive,” says Laubscher.

Westcon appoints marketing director

Michelle Chettoa has been promoted to the role of marketing director for the Westcon Group’s local operations.

A specialist business-to-business marketer, Chettoa brings more than 15 years of specialised ICT marketing experience to her new role, including intimate knowledge and understanding of strategic and tactical marketing within the global technology market.

Prior to her role at Westcon, Chettoa held the position of marketing manager at Comztek as well as the role of South African marketing manager for a US-based enterprise software vendor. Her specialities include general and marketing management, brand building, print and digital design, and public relations, among others.

Chiinze joins Comztek Africa

Lyndsey Chiinze has been appointed the new business development manager for Comztek Africa in an effort to further extend the business’s reach throughout the African continent.

Chiinze joins Comztek Africa from her position as account manager for ProComm, a Cisco Premier partner. With almost a decade’s experience in sales and marketing under her belt, Chiinze will nurture relationships with reseller clients and vendor customers with ease.

Dalgarno joins Westcon

Westcon Software Solutions division has appointed Bianca Dalgarno as the new channel manager for Microsoft Volume Licensing for South Africa.

Delgarno has 16 years’ experience in the IT industry, nine of which have seen her take the positions of Microsoft Licensing specialist and Microsoft Licensing manager at previous companies, the most recent of which being Dell South Africa.

“Her specific Microsoft licensing experience means that Dalgarno will hit the ground running in her new position,” says Dave Caygill, Software Solutions director at Westcon.

New sales lead for X-Box

Westcon has appointed Gareth Pretorius as its new X-Box sales lead.

Pretorius brings with him a wealth of knowledge in sales and sales management from his position as national sales manager at Silverscreen Trading.

“We believe Pretorius brings with him the know-how to not only nurture existing relationships with customers and Microsoft as our vendor partner, but also has the wherewithal and experience to generate new business in terms of the X-Box portfolio,” says Heinz Stephan, business unit director at Westcon Consumer Solutions.