Every strong MSP ecosystem has its builders. In 2025, ChannelPro set out to honor those standout leaders with the Partner in Excellence Award. The award was presented at ChannelPro’s 2025 in-person regional events. The purpose was to spotlight the people who strengthen the community through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership. It recognized individuals whose influence extends beyond their own businesses and helps the entire channel grow.
Each ChannelPro LIVE and DEFEND event featured one regional winner. Together, they formed a yearlong showcase of the professionals shaping the future of managed services. The series concluded with the final honoree at ChannelPro DEFEND: Irvine in California, on Nov. 12-13.
Why These Leaders Matter
The 2025 Partner in Excellence Awards highlighted the individuals whose contributions strengthened the MSP ecosystem. Their work ranged peer mentoring and community building to policy advocacy and workforce development. Their involvement raised the bar for the entire channel.
Karl Palachuk and Michael Siggins
2025 Partner in Excellence Award Honoree Recap
Meet the 2025 winners, listed from the most recent award winner:
Karl W. Palachuk
- Title: Founder, Small Biz Thoughts/founder, National Society of IT Service Providers (NSITSP)
- Region: West
- Event: ChannelPro DEFEND: Irvine, CA
Karl Palachuk has spent more than two decades shaping the MSP industry through education, advocacy, and community leadership. He built Small Biz Thoughts into a go-to resource for MSPs seeking process-driven growth. He also founded the National Society of IT Service Providers to help IT firms meet professional and regulatory standards. Plus, he authored several foundational MSP books to guide technology providers in building stronger, more sustainable businesses.
Michael Siggins and Dawn Sizer
Dawn Sizer
- Title: CEO, 3rd Element Consulting
- Region: Mid-Atlantic
- Event: ChannelPro LIVE: Baltimore
Dawn Sizer earned recognition for her leadership as both a security-focused technologist and a community advocate. Beyond running a successful MSP, she co-founded The Tech Degenerates, served on top advisory councils, mentored peers, and championed women in tech.
Marissa Maldonado
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Michael Siggins and Marissa Maldonado
Title: Founder and CEO, Proda Technology
- Headquarters: Southeast
- Event: ChannelPro LIVE: Atlanta
Marissa Maldonado stood out for her ability to simplify cybersecurity for business leaders while giving back through organizations like Bluebird Leaders, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, and CHAMPS. She also founded Women @ Proda to support and mentor women in IT roles.
MJ Shoer and Michael Siggins
MJ Shoer
- Title: Chief community officer, GTIA (Global Technology Industry Association)
- Region: New England
- Event: ChannelPro DEFEND: Boston
With decades of MSP and nonprofit leadership, MJ Shoer helped launch the CompTIA ISAO, expand global community programs, and shape the Cybersecurity Trustmark. At GTIA, he supports tens of thousands of IT professionals worldwide.
Dave Cava
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Michael Siggins and Dave Cava
Title: Founder, PeopleSharp/co-author, The Pumpkin Plan for MSPs
- Region: Tri-State
- Event: ChannelPro LIVE: New Jersey
Dave Cava earned his award for his long track record of mentoring MSPs, improving leadership and hiring strategies through Encore Strategic, and addressing recruiting challenges through PeopleSharp. He is also a nationally recognized speaker and educator.
Lori Tisinai
Michael Siggins, Lori Tisinai, Capt. Bill Russell, and Joel Zaidspiner
- Title: Founder, Computer Concepts USA/founder, IT Owner’s Compass
- Region: Midwest
- Event: ChannelPro LIVE: Chicago
Lori Tisinai built her reputation on elevating MSP operations, creating IT Owner’s Compass, and leading community-driven education efforts. She has also been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion across the channel.
Wayne Hunter
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Michael Siggins and Wayne Hunter
Title: CEO, AvTek Solutions
- Region: South
- Event: ChannelPro DEFEND: Dallas
With more than 30 years of MSP leadership, Wayne Hunter received the award in Dallas for his mentorship, advisory council service, and industry thought leadership — including a best-selling book on security.
Annette Taber
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Annette Taber and Michael Siggins
Title: Founder and CEO, BoardSWAP
- Region: Florida
- Event: ChannelPro LIVE: Tampa
Annette Taber was the first Partner in Excellence recipient of 2025. Her career in IT advocacy and workforce development at CompTIA (now GTIA) set her apart, and her current work at BoardSWAP continues to help leaders expand their impact through board service.
How the 2025 Winners Were Chosen
- ChannelPro’s Advisory Group members consulted with well-known leaders in each ChannelPro event city to solicit nominations.
- Our editorial team researched each candidate and assembled detailed nomination packets for review.
- Before each event, Advisory Group members reviewed each of the packets and voted for the winner by secret ballot.
Nominate a Leader for Future Awards
Know someone who deserves recognition? Email our editors with:
- The candidate’s name
- The candidate’s LinkedIn URL
- Brief statement on why the candidate should be considered for the Partner in Excellence Award
Jonathan Browning contributed to this article.
Anjali Fluker is senior channel editor for The ChannelPro Network, where she covers news, trends, and best practices for the MSP community. She specializes in telling the stories that matter to IT providers serving the SMB market. When she’s not reporting on the latest in managed services, she’s connecting with channel pros at industry events across the country.
Images: iStock, ChannelPro, Erica Stella Photography
