Red River Names Former SAP, Juniper Exec As CEO

The solution provider, which last year was acquired by Cerberus Capital Management, will bring in Brian Roach, who previously managed government and enterprise business for SAP North America and Juniper Networks, as its new CEO starting May 31, replacing interim CEO Anthony Christie.

Red River, a solution provider serving commercial, federal, and SLED customers, has hired former SAP and Juniper Networks executive Brian Roach as its new CEO.

Roach, who previously ran SAP North America’s regulated industries practice, is slated to start at Red River effected May 31, Red River said late last week. In his role at SAP, Roach worked with federal, local and state government clients as well as customers in higher education, aerospace, defense, utilities, and healthcare.

Roach also led the national government business for six years at Juniper Networks.

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Roach will take over from Anthony Christie. Christie, a member of Red River’s board of directors and a managing director at Magnify Consulting, has served as interim CEO since former CEO Alan Dumas left Red River in January to become a managing partner at Boston-based RNP Capital Advisors.

Claremont, N.H.-based Red River was ranked No. 49 in CRN’s 2021 Solution Provider 500 list.

Red River Acquired By Private Equity Powerhouse In 2021

Red River in June 2021 was acquired by New York-based private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management from the company’s founding shareholders and Acacia Partners. Cerberus also owns other channel companies including security solution provider NetCentrics and custom high performance computing system builder Source Code.

Red River did not respond to a CRN request for more information. However, Roach, in a prepared statement, called this an “exciting time” to join Red River.

“Technology integration and modernization has never been more critical to organizations and Red River’s unique ability to combine cutting-edge solutions with unmatched engineering expertise has made it a distinct leader,” Roach said. “I look forward to working with this talented team and our ecosystem of partners to deliver solutions tailored to customers across all segments.”

Red River Chairman Nana Banerjee, in a prepared statement, called Roach the right person to help Red River grow.

“He is an accomplished industry veteran with a deep understanding of our clients and markets,” Banerjee said. “He also has a strong track record of building partnerships and bringing people together. This combination of experience and leadership is just what Red River needs in its next chapter of expanded growth.”