Jim Ortbals VP of WW Channel and Cloud Sales, Zerto

Zerto Ltd. announced that former VMware and Cisco channel executive, Jim Ortbals, has joined as VP of WW channel and cloud sales.

The role will focus on maximizing the growth the company has seen with its cloud service provider (CSP) and channel partner ecosystems by unifying firm’s channel and cloud teams under the same leadership, creating a single, converged partner strategy.
 
Since introducing the cloud service provider model in late 2012, Zerto has grown its cloud partner ecosystem to over 350 providers. Ortbals joins Zerto to build on this momentum in a way that enables more hybrid partnership opportunities between Zerto’s traditional channel team, consisting of over 1,800 VARs and systems integrators, and the CSP teams.  
 
“As the CSP industry continues to see tremendous growth, given the nature of today’s cloud-focused IT landscape, traditional channel partners are looking for ways to ride the wave,” Ortbals said. “Channel and CSP partnerships are starting to form and traditional lines are beginning to blur. Zerto, as a primarily channel-focused business with more than 2,200 channel, CSP and technology partners, is right at the intersection of it all, and I’m thrilled to be here at this exciting time for the company. Our new converged partner organization will help facilitate the types of hybrid conversations that will provide benefit and growth opportunities for all parties involved.”
 
Ortbals is a seasoned channel leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the technology industry, including nearly ten years combined in the channel organizations at VMware and Cisco.  His expertise is building and developing world-class channel teams and partner ecosystems.  Prior to Zerto, he served in channel leadership roles at VMware, preceded by running global sales at VOSS Solutions, and in sales leadership roles at Allot Communications and Cisco.

A Miami University graduate, he enjoys being engaged in coaching youth sports with his kids in the Kansas City area outside of work.
 
“Jim’s experience is exactly what we need to leverage our current, unique position with channel and CSP partners,” said Ziv Kedem, CEO, Zerto. “His many years as a partner sales leader at some of the world’s top IT companies will benefit us greatly as we build on the success we’ve seen with our growing number of CSP partnerships. Jim will help our existing channel partners and CSPs form strong partnerships that will drive innovation and adoption of IT resilience solutions for customers.”
 
“Cloud continues to be a solution focus area for Sirius due to the demand from our clients, and we are proud to partner with Zerto to help our clients accelerate and optimize their IT transformation and modernization efforts across all lines of their business,” said Darrin Nelson, VP of software solution sales, Sirius Software. “Jim is a great addition to the Zerto team, and we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Zerto, as it is a key component of our Cloud-Go! offering which enables clients to easily identify workloads that will thrive in the cloud, and accelerates the movement of those workloads to the cloud.”