NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company, has announced the appointment of Mike Richardson as the new Vice President of Solutions Engineering for the United States. This strategic move is aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the North American market and improving the customer experience.
Background and Experience
Richardson joins NetApp with over 20 years of experience in the technology and storage industry. His most recent role was Vice President of Systems Engineering at Pure Storage. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions at companies such as Forsythe Technology, Commvault Systems, and, interestingly, he had previously worked at NetApp.
Responsibilities in His New Role
In his new position, Richardson will report directly to the Senior Vice President of Sales in North America. His key responsibilities will include:
- Provide strategic leadership for the Solutions Engineering organization across North America.
- Align technical sales strategies with changing customer needs and company business objectives.
- Oversee all strategic pre-sales activities.
- Support the customer experience from start to finish.
- Drive collaboration throughout the sales organization to achieve impactful results.
Expected Impact on NetApp
Riccardo Di Blasio, Senior Vice President of Sales in North America at NetApp, expressed his excitement about Richardson’s return to the company. He highlighted his extensive experience working with customers and partners, as well as his deep technical expertise and proven leadership in driving innovation.
For his part, Mike Richardson expressed his honor to return to NetApp at a time he considers crucial for the industry. “The convergence of data, AI, and the cloud presents an unprecedented opportunity for organizations to harness the power of data. NetApp is uniquely positioned to help customers unify, protect, and accelerate their data,” stated the executive.
Industry Context
This appointment comes at a time of rapid evolution in the technological landscape. The growing importance of data management, artificial intelligence, and cloud solutions is transforming how companies operate and compete. NetApp, with its focus on intelligent data infrastructure, aims to position itself as a leader in this changing environment.
Richardson’s addition is seen as a strategic step to enhance NetApp’s ability to offer innovative and customer-centric solutions in an increasingly competitive market.