The IT community thrives on collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Some folks excel beyond participation — they get deeply involved. That’s why ChannelPro introduced a new MSP industry award, Partner in Excellence, to recognize those who drive the industry forward.
The award highlights the outstanding leadership of MSPs, consultants, peer networking coaches, and nonprofit leaders that make the channel stronger, more connected, and more successful.
How We Select the Winners
- ChannelPro’s Advisory Group members consult with well-known leaders in each ChannelPro event city to solicit nominations.
- Our editorial team researches each candidate and assembles detailed nomination packets for review.
- Before each event, Advisory Group members review each of the packets and vote for the winner by secret ballot.
Tampa winner Annette Taber
Annette Taber: A Force for Change in Florida
Annette Taber was the first recipient of the Partner in Excellence Award at ChannelPro LIVE: Tampa, and for good reason. Her commitment to IT advocacy, education, and policy isn’t an add-on, it has defined her career. During her time at CompTIA, she played a key role in shaping the IT workforce, helping countless professionals build their skills and advance their careers.
Now, as the founder and CEO of BoardSWAP, Taber helps senior leaders find board positions where they can make an even bigger impact. She’s a champion for the channel, and ChannelPro’s Tampa event was a well-earned acknowledgment of her contributions.
From left: ChannelPro Founder Michael Siggins and Dallas winner Wayne Hunter
Wayne Hunter: Championing MSP Success in Dallas
The winner at this year’s ChannelPro DEFEND Dallas event, Wayne Hunter, is a visionary leader and a champion of the MSP community. Over the last three decades as AvTek Solutions CEO, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to mentoring MSPs.
In addition, Hunter has served on many industry advisory councils with the express purpose of improving the IT channel. In addition to delivering cutting-edge security solutions to his clients, he’s a best-selling author on the topic.
Hunter received the coveted MSP award in Dallas because of his relentless support for the IT community and his influence in shaping best practices.
Lori Tisinai: MSP Leadership in Chicago
Chicago winner Lori Tisinai (right) shares her views on community with Michael Siggins.
At ChannelPro LIVE: Chicago, Lori Tisinai was celebrated with a Partner in Excellence Award trophy. The founder of Computer Concepts USA has been a powerhouse in the MSP space, helping IT service providers fine-tune their operations and deliver better outcomes for their clients.
Tisinai founded IT Owner’s Compass in 2017, an event series designed to connect IT business owners and vendors. Her leadership in cybersecurity education, peer networking, and vendor partnerships has been lauded by her peers.
She has also been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the channel, pushing for more opportunities for underrepresented professionals in tech.
Dave Cava: A Voice for Change in NY/NJ
Dave Cava (right) chats with Michael Siggins about his journey through the channel.
The New Jersey regional MSP award winner in the Partner in Excellence pantheon is Dave Cava. He’s a fixture in the MSP channel, not just for what he built, but for how he gives back.
As the COO and co-founder of his own MSP, Proactive Technologies, Cava was a tireless advocate for the industry. During those early days, his willingness to mentor and support his fellow MSPs was nothing short of incredible.
At Encore Strategic, Cava coached IT business leaders on how to grow their companies without burning out their teams. His approach helped MSPs tackle tough issues like hiring, retention, and leadership development. Now, as the owner of PeopleSharp, he’s helping MSPs address one of their biggest pain points: recruiting.
Cava co-authored of The Pumpkin Plan for MSPs, an essential resource for IT providers looking to scale their businesses. He’s also a frequent presenter at industry events, where he’s earned multiple “Best Educational Session” awards for delivering actionable advice. Whether onstage, in print, or in a boardroom, Cava has a knack for making complex problems feel solvable.
In the words of Jeremy Willis, president of Advanced Intelligence Engineering, “One of my most impressionable experiences with Dave was attending a prominent industry seminar where Dave was one of the keynote speakers to hundreds to IT service companies. After having gleaned a wealth of insight from his time of speaking, it became apparent why he and his company are industry leaders.”
MJ Shoer: A Nonprofit Leader from New England
ChannelPro’s Michael Siggins (right) interviews Partner in Excellence honoree MJ Shoer.
The Boston regional Partner in Excellence Award winner is MJ Shoer, a force in the IT channel who’s spent more than three decades lifting others as he leads. Throughout his career, Shoer’s work is defined by one constant: an unwavering commitment to the MSP ecosystem.
After successfully scaling and selling his Portsmouth, NH-based MSP, business, Shoer stayed in the channel but wasn’t content with local impact. He wanted to raise the bar across the entire channel.
That eventually led him to CompTIA, where he helped launch the CompTIA ISAO. The Information Sharing and Analysis Organization is a cybersecurity-focused initiative launched by CompTIA specifically to support IT channel businesses.
During his time as chief community officer at CompTIA, the association expanded its global reach, built out cybersecurity programming, and restructured member engagement around real-world business outcomes. Shoer also oversaw the creation of the Cybersecurity Trustmark, an organizational credential designed to help MSPs improve security maturity.
When CompTIA’s training and certification division was sold, Shoer helped guide the transition to the new Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) brand, all while leading its community mission. As chief community officer of GITA, he supports tens of thousands of MSP professionals worldwide.
In the words of Dan Wensley, chief executive officer, GTIA, “All of us at GTIA and our membership know firsthand the incredible passion and dedication MJ has for the channel community. I personally appreciate his positive and unrelenting drive to give back to everyone he connects with. I have gained so much from MJ over the past decade(s) and am inspired to be working with him.”
Shoer’s Partner in Excellence Award will be presented during ChannelPro DEFEND: Boston, August 11-12, 2025 in Newton, MA. MSPs, VARs, MSSPs, and other channel partners are invited to attend and show their support.
Marissa Maldonado: MSP and Community Advocate
Atlanta Winner Marissa Maldonado
Marissa Maldonado earned the Partner in Excellence Award because she embodies what it means to lead with purpose, clarity, and impact. As founder and CEO of Proda Technology, she has spent more than a decade helping businesses navigate the increasingly complex world of cybersecurity with confidence.
Her rare ability to break down technical challenges into practical strategies has made her a trusted advisor to executives across industries. But what sets Maldonado apart is how she builds trust and empowers people.
Beyond her role as a CEO, Marissa has consistently given her time and talent to strengthening the communities around her. From her board service with Bluebird Leaders and Meals on Wheels Atlanta to her long-standing involvement with CHAMPS and other nonprofits, her leadership is about service as much as strategy.
She founded Women @ Proda to mentor and uplift women in tech roles, and she creates opportunities for others through speaking engagements, peer groups, and mentorship. Her career is marked not only by professional milestones, but by her commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and giving back.
Colleagues and peers describe Marissa as a leader who makes the complicated simple and the intimidating approachable. Whether educating a room of business leaders about threat resilience, coaching her team through EOS implementation, or fundraising to support vulnerable communities, she does it with authenticity, energy, and compassion.
The Partner in Excellence Award honors individuals who make a lasting difference both in their industry and in the lives of others, and Marissa exemplifies that standard in every way. She doesn’t just protect data and organizations. She strengthens people, communities, and the future of the channel itself.
Maldonado’s Partner in Excellence Award will be presented during ChannelPro DEFEND: Atlanta, Sept. 9-10, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. MSPs, VARs, MSSPs, and other channel partners are invited to attend and show their support.
Shaping the Future of the IT Channel
Adding the Partner in Excellence Award to ChannelPro LIVE events has already made an impact. It’s more than just an honor. It’s a statement that outstanding leadership, mentorship, and community-driven success matter.
Each recipient is proof that one person’s efforts can ripple across the community, helping MSPs, vendors, and IT professionals build stronger businesses and better futures. As we continue to recognize outstanding leaders at future events, the Partner in Excellence Award will remain a key part of how we celebrate and elevate the IT channel.
Your Chance to Nominate
Do you know a channel professional who deserves recognition for their greatness? Email our editors their name, LinkedIn URL, and why they’re worthy of recognition.
Images: iStock, Lori Tisinai
