Kathy Schneider Out at Dell in Channel Consolidation

Dell global channel marketing and programs chief Kathy Schneider

Dell global channel marketing and programs chief Kathy Schneider

Dell Inc. is saying goodbye to popular channel leader Kathy Schneider and consolidating two of its channel programs under new leadership.

Schneider, who served in various channel roles at Dell for the last four years, including most recently as executive director for global channel marketing and programs, is leaving the Round Rock, Texas, vendor to pursue new opportunities, Dell officials told Channelnomics on Tuesday.

As part of the transition, the company is combining the marketing programs formerly led by Schneider with its channel enablement unit to form a new Global Channel Programs and Partner Enablement team led by Bob Skelley, currently the executive director of Dell’s Global Certified Partner Program and Channel.

“Bob has been a key leader on our Channel team for the past five years, and I am excited to have him head this group,” Greg Davis, vice president and general manager, Dell Global Commercial Channel said in an e-mailed statement. “We believe this is a great opportunity to provide better support to our channel partners and customers and increase our overall capability in the channel organization.”

Schneider took the reins of the global channel marketing team, which coordinates channel marketing for all products in every major region around the world, when it was formed in in July 2012. At the time, she was serving as channel marketing director for Dell’s European, Middle East and Africa division. The EMEA role was assumed by Andreas Schuetze.

“It was a natural step in terms of our maturity and size,” Schneider said at the time. “The progression of the organization feels like a natural flow.”

Schneider has been a driving force behind some high-profile marketing efforts in her 12 months as global channel marketing leader, including most recently spearheading a program to train Dell resellers on the finer points of social media marketing and branding.

The changes in the channel organization and new role for Skelley take effect immediately, Dell officials confirmed.