WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ASCII Group, North America’s original vendor-neutral community for managed service providers (MSPs), announced the appointment of Jerry Koutavas as CEO. Alan Weinberger, founder and former CEO, will transition into the role of non-operating chairman of the board, continuing his decades-long mission to advocate for the IT channel.
Weinberger founded The ASCII Group in 1984, pioneering the first collaborative organization of its kind for IT solution providers. At a time when MSPs had limited resources and little collective representation, Weinberger’s vision created a peer-driven, vendor-free community focused on growth, independence, and shared success. Under his leadership, ASCII became a respected force in the channel — uniting thousands of IT providers across North America.
“Building The ASCII Group from the ground up and watching it evolve into a true community has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life,” said Weinberger. “This organization has always stood for trust, collaboration, and independence. Jerry has been a steward of that mission for many years, and I have full confidence in his leadership as ASCII moves into its next chapter.”
Koutavas, who has worked in the IT channel for nearly 30 years, played a key role in helping thousands of providers transition from break/fix to managed services. During his tenure, he helped establish one of the industry’s most effective vendor-free peer networks, facilitating over 500,000 member-to-member exchanges that have solved technical issues, improved service delivery, and guided critical business decisions.
Jerry Koutavas
“Alan built something truly special — a values-driven organization that puts people first and has stood the test of time,” said Koutavas. “I’m deeply grateful for his vision and leadership, and it’s an honor to carry that legacy forward as we continue to support this incredible community through its next phase of growth and opportunity.”
David Stinner, president of US itek and member of ASCII’s Advisory Committee, shared, “I’m excited to see Jerry take on the role of CEO and lead The ASCII Group into its next chapter. His leadership and deep understanding of the MSP community have been instrumental in bringing together valuable vendor relationships, industry experts, and meaningful programs that support members like myself. I look forward to seeing how ASCII continues to grow and evolve under his guidance.”
Rob Rae, corporate vice president of community and ecosystems at Pax8, added, “Few organizations in our industry have stood the test of time like ASCII. Alan’s vision created a community that has empowered MSPs, and what continues to set ASCII apart is the leadership behind it. Jerry’s ability to anticipate where the industry is headed allows ASCII to adapt while fostering trust, collaboration, and long-term value for its members.”
This leadership transition reaffirms The ASCII Groups commitment to its founding principles while positioning the organization to meet the evolving needs of today’s IT and MSP landscape — through community, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence.
About The ASCII Group Inc.
Founded in 1984, The ASCII Group is the original IT community of the channel, uniting MSPs across North America. As a vendor-neutral organization, ASCII provides unbiased resources and a collaborative environment to support business growth. Members span the U.S. and Canada, ranging from SMB-focused MSPs to international solution providers. ASCII offers leveraged purchasing programs, education, marketing support, peer networking, and more, complemented by a vibrant ecosystem of technology vendors. Learn more at www.ascii.com.
