Nominee #1 – August eTech
Nominated by: Syncro
August eTech Uses Syncro to Spur Growth While Delivering Personalized MSP Service
August eTech is a midsize managed services provider that delivers high-touch IT support to clients with up to 300 end users, all while maintaining a boutique customer experience. With a team of approximately 22 professionals serving more than 300 customers across industries, the company differentiates itself through a combination of technical expertise and white-glove service.
CEO Janice Mahlmann built AeT with a clear mission to ensure every customer feels like the only customer. At the same time, AeT did not want to be perceived as too small to capably support midmarket clients with complex technical environments. This dual focus on personalized service and robust technical delivery shaped the company’s technology strategy and set the stage for a transformative partnership with Syncro.
As AeT’s customer base expanded, its operational demands grew dramatically. The team was processing thousands of monthly tickets, including alerts, notifications, recurring maintenance items, and client-generated requests. Without a platform capable of scaling both visibility and efficiency, technicians were at risk of being consumed by reactive tasks rather than delivering proactive service that drives client value.
Syncro’s integrated remote monitoring and management and professional services automation capabilities gave AeT the tools it needed to balance growth with profitability. Syncro provided a centralized platform for ticketing, automation, reporting, and workflow management that scaled with the business. It enabled AeT to automate routine ticket queues and handle alerts in a way that reduced manual troubleshooting. Technician workflows became more efficient, and a higher volume of work could be completed without adding headcount.
Director of Operations Michael Paranich explained that Syncro’s smart ticketing intelligence, automated remediation, and powerful scripting enabled the team to resolve issues in one or two clicks instead of lengthy manual work. This capability empowered technicians to stay ahead of client needs and reduced operational drag across the business.
Automated processes played a pivotal role in improving service delivery. Syncro allowed the team to proactively address routine maintenance and potential failures before they escalated into bigger issues. For example, monitoring alerts for hardware thresholds or repetitive faults enabled AeT to recommend preemptive upgrades or configuration changes that improved client systems and reduced reactive work. These proactive practices not only improved client satisfaction but also strengthened the company’s financial model by reducing unscheduled service demands.
Syncro’s reporting also proved invaluable in reinforcing customer confidence. Client-facing staff could clearly demonstrate value through data and charts that outlined work completed, issues prevented, and time saved through automation. This transparency helped AeT maintain strong SLAs and achieve 100 percent customer satisfaction.
Another hallmark of the partnership was enhanced internal efficiency. Syncro’s detailed logging and scheduling features ensured that tickets, technician time, and resources were tracked precisely. With clear visibility into workload and utilization, AeT could optimize resource allocation and maintain operational continuity across technicians and shifts.
Through close collaboration and innovation, August eTech and Syncro built a model that supports sustainable growth while preserving the personalized service that defines AeT’s brand. Syncro’s platform became a strategic enabler for the company’s proactive approach, operational resilience, and client satisfaction goals.”
Nominee response:
Our partnership with Syncro is far from a “set it and forget it” relationship. Syncro consistently reaches out for our input, actively brainstorming and collaborating with us. It’s refreshing to work with a vendor team that is genuinely hungry for feedback and true partnership. Instead of simply checking boxes, we’re building something better together.
Syncro isn’t just improving its platform for its own benefit—they’re building it for us, their customers. And what do we, as a customer and partner, gain? A fantastic product that reflects our voice. By designing their system around vendor and partner input, Syncro gives us the tools to succeed—and that’s priceless.
Nominee #2 – SWK Technologies
Nominated by: Cyberleaf
SWK’s cybersecurity evolution was driven by a clear pattern across its customer base. As cyber threats accelerated and regulatory expectations increased, many small and mid-sized organizations found themselves relying on fragmented tools, limited visibility, and overstretched internal teams. Security existed, but it wasn’t cohesive, measurable, or sustainable.
In response, SWK launched CyberAssurance CORE, a full-service cybersecurity program designed specifically for SMBs and small enterprises. Rather than assembling another collection of point solutions, SWK built CyberAssurance CORE around the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 to provide structure, consistency, and accountability across risk assessment, protection, detection, response, and ongoing operations.
The program intentionally combines advisory leadership with operational depth. SWK begins with risk assessment activities such as vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and remediation planning to establish a clear baseline. From there, customers are supported with layered controls including endpoint protection, identity security, encryption, DNS filtering, and security awareness training. These controls are continuously monitored through integrated SOC, SIEM, and SOAR capabilities, ensuring threats are identified, correlated, and addressed quickly.
A key differentiator is how SWK positions cybersecurity as an ongoing process rather than a one-time implementation. Customers are guided through why legacy tools degrade over time, how alert fatigue and integration gaps create blind spots, and why compliance requirements increasingly demand continuous monitoring and evidence. This education-first approach is reinforced by SWK’s extensive thought leadership, including hundreds of cybersecurity articles focused on practical risks such as AI-driven phishing, ransomware evolution, compliance pressure, and staffing constraints.
To support operational scale without sacrificing quality, SWK partnered with Cyberleaf to provide continuous security operations, monitoring, and response behind the scenes. This allows SWK to deliver enterprise-grade security outcomes while maintaining focus on governance, customer alignment, and strategic guidance rather than internal alert management.
The results have been measurable. Customers adopting CyberAssurance CORE have improved detection and response times, reduced exposure from phishing and ransomware attacks, and achieved stronger alignment with regulatory frameworks such as NIST, HIPAA, and CMMC. Internally, SWK created a more repeatable, scalable security model that reduced tool sprawl and improved consistency across environments.
Beyond outcomes, SWK views cybersecurity as part of its responsibility to the broader community. Through SWK Gives and its support of charitable organizations nationwide, the company reinforces a culture of accountability and long-term thinking that carries into how security programs are designed and maintained.
This initiative demonstrates how MSPs can responsibly deliver advanced cybersecurity by pairing standards-based design, education, and operational partnerships to reduce risk while building lasting trust.
https://www.swktech.com/swk-cio-named-global-infosec-awards-winner-during-rsa-conference-2025/
With nearly 300 cybersecurity-focused articles published, SWK has made sustained investment in helping business leaders understand evolving threats, regulatory pressure, and operational tradeoffs well before those topics become crisis-driven conversations. This content is designed to inform decision-making, not drive transactions.
Internally, SWK has emphasized governance and accountability as cybersecurity expanded across the organization. Leadership aligned cybersecurity delivery with existing operational disciplines used across ERP, automation, and managed services practices, ensuring security programs were built to scale responsibly rather than grow opportunistically.
SWK also brings a strong values-based lens to its work. Through SWK Gives, the organization actively supports charitable partners focused on education, healthcare, homelessness, and youth development. That commitment reinforces a long-term view of stewardship and responsibility that influences how SWK approaches customer trust, data protection, and risk management.
For ChannelPro, SWK represents an MSP that has advanced cybersecurity by combining standards-based execution, sustained thought leadership, and a values-driven culture, without losing focus on clarity, discipline, or customer responsibility.
SWK’s cybersecurity strategy is grounded in a disciplined risk management methodology that prioritizes identifying, quantifying, and addressing customer risks before technology is deployed. By anchoring Cyber Assurance CORE in the NIST CSF 2.0 framework and the foundational principles of the CIA triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—SWK ensures that every control, process, and recommendation directly supports measurable risk reduction. This approach transforms cybersecurity from a reactive “tool driven” exercise into a structured, repeatable, and business aligned program. By establishing a clear risk baseline through assessments, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing, SWK empowers customers to understand where their true exposures lie and to make informed decisions about remediations and investments before committing to a longer-term security engagement.
The strategic partnership with Cyberleaf strengthens this model by embedding continuous SOC, SIEM, and SOAR capabilities into a unified operational layer, enabling SWK to deliver 360-degree protection without customers needing to manage complex security infrastructure on their own. Cyberleaf provides the real time monitoring, threat correlation, and rapid response horsepower, while SWK focuses on governance, strategy, and customer alignment—resulting in a fully integrated solution set that covers advisory, technical, and operational domains. Together, SWK and Cyberleaf deliver an end-to-end cybersecurity ecosystem that is proactive, scalable, and outcome driven, giving SMBs the enterprise grade resilience they need while maintaining clarity, accountability, and long term trust.
Nominee #3 – Tekie Geek
Nominated by: Cytracom
Nominee #4 – MacSolutions Plus
Nominated by: MSP OneShare
Working with Garret Cleversley of MacSolutions Plus in Buffalo, NY exemplifies the impact, innovation, and collaboration that define true leadership in the MSP community. Garret brings unmatched energy and an unwavering “anything is possible” attitude to every initiative he touches. While he operates a highly successful Apple‑focused MSP, he has strategically expanded his tech stack to support a full range of business needs, demonstrating both technical versatility and forward‑thinking execution.
As Executive Director of the Apple Solutions Marketing Corporation (ASMC), Garret has played a pivotal role in strengthening collaboration across the industry. His leadership has been instrumental in bridging the long‑standing gap between Apple‑focused and PC‑focused MSPs—an effort that has resulted in numerous subcontracting partnerships, cross‑referrals, and expanded vendor relationships. These outcomes reflect not only his innovative approach but also his commitment to elevating the entire ecosystem, not just his own business.
Garret’s tireless work and positive influence have created a ripple effect of opportunity and connection for MSPs nationwide. He leads by example, consistently lifting others up and enabling success far beyond his immediate circle.
For his significant impact, creative leadership, and exceptional collaborative spirit, I highly recommend **Garret Cleversley** for this honor.
My partnership with Lynn formerly of ASCII and now IBPI/MSP ShareOne community has been successful for one simple reason: Lynn genuinely cares about the people she works with, not just the business outcomes. From the beginning, she took the time to understand what MacSolutions Plus and ASMC were trying to accomplish — expanding our capabilities beyond Apple-only services and building real bridges with the broader MSP community. Her introductions, guidance, and behind-the-scenes advocacy opened doors that would have taken years to find on our own. That kind of partnership isn’t transactional — it’s transformational.
What makes the relationship truly stand out is the alignment in values. Lynn believes in the same thing I do: that when MSPs collaborate instead of compete, everyone wins — including the customers we serve. Through her network, we’ve built subcontracting relationships, found new vendor partners, and expanded our reach in ways that directly benefit my clients in Western New York and members of ASMC across North America. I’m grateful for her nomination, but more importantly, I’m grateful for the relationship.
Nominee #5 – Titan Technologies
Nominated by: CC4Teams, Mailprotector, and The C-Suite Group
CC4 Teams
I am proud to nominate Paul Nebb for the 2026 Partner in Excellence Award. Paul represents exactly what this award is meant to recognize: trust, commitment, leadership, and true partnership.
During my time at SkySwitch, Paul made the significant decision to migrate his entire book of telecom business over to the platform. That kind of move requires confidence, planning, and belief in the people and solution behind the brand. Paul approached the transition with professionalism, focus, and a long-term vision for his customers and business. He was not just moving accounts; he was investing in a partnership.
What makes Paul stand out even more is that he did not stop with his own business. He became a true advocate and referred nine new partners to SkySwitch. Those referrals were not just names passed along. They were introductions built on trust, credibility, and Paul’s own positive experience. His willingness to open doors and recommend the platform to other telecom professionals speaks volumes about his character and the value he brings as a partner.
Paul has always been more than a vendor or customer relationship. He is collaborative, responsive, honest, and genuinely invested in mutual success. He understands the telecom space, cares about doing right by his customers, and consistently looks for ways to help others grow.
My relationship with Paul went so well that when I moved into my new role with CC4Teams, I signed him as a partner there as well. That is a true testament to the trust we built and the respect I have for him professionally.
Paul Nebb is exactly the kind of partner who elevates everyone around him. His loyalty, referrals, business growth, and continued partnership make him more than deserving of the 2026 Partner in Excellence Award.
Beyond his business success, Paul is someone who genuinely gives back to the MSP and telecom community. He takes the time to mentor other MSP owners, sharing his experience, guidance, and lessons learned to help them grow stronger businesses. Paul is also deeply committed to serving others through his volunteer work with various organizations, showing the same leadership, generosity, and dedication outside of business that he brings to every partnership.
Mailprotector
Paul and Titan Technologies have been valued partners of Mailprotector for many years, consistently demonstrating a commitment to collaboration and excellence. As a member of Mailprotector’s Partner Advisory Council, Paul provided thoughtful feedback and strategic insight that helped shape improvements to our partner experience. His willingness to share honest perspectives and advocate for the broader MSP community has made a lasting impact on both our organization and fellow partners.
The C-Suite Group
Paul leads with humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. He embraces change, invests in his team, and consistently looks for innovative ways to improve both the employee and customer experience. What sets Paul apart is that he never views technology as the solution in itself. Instead, he leverages technology, operational excellence, and accountability to create lasting value for his customers and employees.
Throughout our partnership, Paul has demonstrated a willingness to challenge the status quo, make thoughtful investments in the future of his business, and build a culture where transparency, ownership, and service excellence are expected at every level. His leadership has transformed not only how Titan Technologies operates, but also how it delivers value to its clients.
I wholeheartedly recommend Paul Nebb for the Partner in Excellence Award. He exemplifies the qualities this recognition was created to honor.
