Epson America Inc. has announced that CRN has named Tom Kettell, director of commercial channel sales and marketing, to its 2022 Channel Chiefs list. This annual project identifies top IT channel vendor executives who continually demonstrate expertise, influence and innovation in channel leadership and recognizes influential leaders who continue to shape the IT channel with innovative strategies, programs and partnerships.

"Being recognized as a CRN Channel Chief is a testament to the importance of putting our partners first," Kettell said. "This past year, we have seen them continue to be tested, specifically with maneuvering supply chain obstacles and to be able to deliver to customers within a virtual landscape. Maintaining consistent and honest communication with our partners provided insight to their immediate needs and opened new opportunities to build unique business plans for them to succeed now and in the future."

Kettell is responsible for channel sales and channel marketing for Epson's North American commercial business. His team is organized around product solutions including visual solutions, business printing, document imaging and point-of-services solutions. With Kettell's leadership, his team connected with partners to shape key channel marketing infrastructure investments to help stimulate demand in key areas of business. They launched a best-of-breed partner portal that encompasses all Epson's commercial product lines. The portal gives partners access an entire library of marketing assets, which Epson significantly invested in expanding and improving to provide resources to help position partners for success in a remote world. Kettell joined Epson in 2007 and has more than 30 years of experience in sales and leadership in areas of finance, computer software and IT services.

"CRN's 2022 Channel Chiefs recognition is given exclusively to the foremost channel executives who consistently design, promote, and execute effective partner programs and strategies," said Blaine Raddon, CEO, The Channel Company. "We're thrilled to recognize the tireless work and unwavering commitment these honorees put into fostering outstanding business innovation and building strong partner programs to drive channel engagement and success."