Converge Hires Former IBM Channel Exec To Lead Sales Offensive

‘It is not lost on me how lucky I am to have been a part of nearly half of IBM‘s 110-year history,’ John Teltsch Jr. wrote on his LinkedIn account when announcing his leave in February.

Converge Technology Solutions has hired former IBM channel executive John Teltsch Jr. as chief revenue officer, the services provider announced today.

The Toronto-based company – No. 39 on CRN’s 2021 Solution Provider 500 – brings in Teltsch in the middle of an acquisition spree aimed at buying $1 billion in revenue per year from M&A.

Teltsch will work with Converge President Greg Berard to “oversee profit alignment, connect various revenue-related functions, and execute the Company’s global strategy,” according to a Converge statement.

[RELATED: Channel M&A Giant Converge Technology Buys CRM SaaS Company 1CRM]

CRN has reached out to Teltsch, Converge and IBM for comment.

Converge is an IBM Platinum Business Partner, according to its website. It also partners with Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Google Cloud, Microsoft, VMware and other tech giants.

Teltsch comes to Converge after about 40 years with IBM, most recently serving as general manager of technology sales for the U.S., Canada and Latin America. He worked with IBM Hardware Systems, Cloud & Cognitive Software and Technology Support Services to help clients adopt IBM’s hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence offerings.

He used to work with Converge while at IBM, according to the statement.

In a post on LinkedIn last month, Teltsch said he started as an IBM salesman in Louisiana.

“It is not lost on me how lucky I am to have been a part of nearly half of IBM’s 110-year history,” he wrote. “I have watched this company transform itself and, in turn, transform the world. I’ve seen first-hand how innovation shapes everything around us. I’ve made friends and learned lessons that will last a lifetime.”

Executives who posted congratulations to Teltsch include Nielsen CEO David Kenny, Vonage Chief Operating Officer Jay Bellissimo and Rimini Street Group Vice President and General Manager Chris Bahr.

His time with IBM includes stints as general manager of IBM systems sales, general manager of the IBM partner ecosystem, general manager of global enterprise and commercial and vice president of the systems and technology group for North America, according to his LinkedIn.

In a separate post by Teltsch confirming his employment at Converge, he received congratulations from Converge President Greg Berard; IBM Vice President of Global Technology Services, North America, Mark McInnis; HCL Technologies Global Head of Strategic Ecosystem and Cloud Platforms Rajesh Venkatachalam and others.

Mark Wyllie, CEO of Boca Raton, Fla.-based IBM partner Flagship Solutions Group, told CRN in an interview that Converge hiring Teltsch is a major boost to their IBM practice. Wyllie said he considers Teltsch a friend.

This is a “great move for both Converge and John,” he said. “He’s the senior IBM leadership they need to really go to the next level with IBM.”