ConnectWise has announced that Manny Rivelo, former CEO of Forcepoint, has been appointed CEO of ConnectWise. Rivelo succeeds Jason Magee, who will step down after successfully leading the company through unprecedented growth.

Under Magee's leadership, ConnectWise has achieved remarkable milestones, significantly growing its revenue and profitability. Since becoming CEO in 2019, Magee has spearheaded the company's expansion into new markets, developed cutting-edge solutions for MSPs, and strengthened ConnectWise's position as an industry leader in cybersecurity. During his tenure, the company's revenue increased by more than 300% and profitability surged by 500%, driven by strategic acquisitions in cybersecurity and data protection, solidifying its role as a driving force in the MSP ecosystem.

"It has been an incredible honor to lead ConnectWise during this transformative period," Magee said. "I am proud of what our team has accomplished — scaling the business, expanding our product portfolio and deepening our commitment to our partners. With a solid foundation now in place, I believe this is the right time for me to step down and hand over the reins to a leader who can guide ConnectWise through its next phase of growth. I look forward to connecting with our MSP partners at IT Nation Connect in November, where we will celebrate our collective achievements."

Rivelo brings with him more than 30 years of leadership experience in the technology industry. As CEO of Forcepoint, he successfully navigated the cybersecurity company through strategic growth initiatives and product innovation. Prior to Forcepoint, Rivelo held senior leadership roles at industry giants including F5 Networks, Arista and Cisco Systems, where he was instrumental in driving key business transformations.

"I am thrilled to join ConnectWise at such an exciting time in its journey," Rivelo said. "Jason has done a phenomenal job positioning ConnectWise as a market leader and I am eager to build on that success. The rise of AI presents a game-changing opportunity for MSPs and their SMB clients. Through our purpose-built platform and industry-leading community, ConnectWise is equipping MSPs with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving market."

Over the upcoming months, Magee will work closely with Rivelo to ensure a smooth handover and will continue to provide strategic guidance to the ConnectWise leadership team. The company is committed to maintaining its partner-first focus and accelerating innovation to serve its global network of technology solution providers.

In other news, IT Nation has announced the 2024 IT Nation awards program, which aims to celebrate and honor outstanding individuals, organizations and media professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and commitment within the IT channel community.

Below are the 2024 Award Opportunities:

Partner Excellence Award — IT Nation will honor an individual who has consistently gone above and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the IT Nation and its broad community. This partner embraces the "Go Giver" philosophy and understands that by creating value for all, we can fulfill our mission of "Wise together, Rise together."

Community of the Year Award — There are so many amazing communities in the IT channel ecosystem dedicated to the success of MSPs. IT Nation will celebrate an exceptional community that has demonstrated outstanding collaboration, engagement and support for its members, as well as other communities, through knowledge-sharing, networking and professional growth.

Evolve Partner of the Year Award — Each year, IT Nation recognizes exceptional members of our IT Nation Evolve Peer Groups. One partner from each region (North America, EMEA and APAC) will be selected based on exceptional demonstrated growth, innovation and commitment to excellence through leadership.  

The PitchIT 2024 Champion Award — The 6th annual PitchIT award will also be part of the IT Nation Torch Awards, which recognizes innovators who have showcased offerings that can be seamlessly built or integrated into the ConnectWise ecosystem. This startup incubation competition serves as a catalyst for driving innovation and fostering collaboration between ConnectWise and its partners, enhancing the efficiency, profitability and security of the IT Nation community.

Media Excellence Award — The accolade recognizes exceptional members of the media who have exhibited professionalism, integrity and dedication in their coverage. The award celebrates their commitment to delivering accurate, insightful and impactful journalism that has contributed to a deeper understanding of the IT ecosystem.

During IT Nation Connect, attendees will have the opportunity to vote for various awards, including: Most Valuable Distributor; Best in Show – Solution Vendor; Most Impactful Breakout; and Best Emerging Vendor.

"We are thrilled to introduce the IT Nation Torch Awards, celebrating excellence within the IT community," said Gregg Lalle, senior vice president and general manager, IT Nation. "These awards aim to recognize the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals, organizations and media professionals who have made a significant impact on the industry. We invite all members of the IT community to participate in this exciting awards program and join us in honoring the best and brightest in our industry."

Nominations for the IT Nation Torch Awards are now open, and winners will be announced and honored at an awards ceremony during the annual IT Nation Connect conference.