Celebrating Barracuda’s channel leaders named 2026 CRN Channel Chiefs

Michelle Hodges and Geoff Thompson recognized for transforming partner strategy, driving innovation and empowering partner success

Takeaways

• Barracuda’s Michelle Hodges and Geoff Thompson have been recognized as 2026 CRN Channel Chiefs for their transformative leadership and commitment to partner success.
• Their strategic vision is driving innovation, elevating service quality and expanding profitability for both traditional partners and managed service providers (MSPs).
• Barracuda remains dedicated to empowering partners with advanced tools and solutions to effectively manage a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

We are thrilled to share that Barracuda’s Michelle Hodges, Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances, and Geoff Thompson, Vice President of Managed Services Strategy and Development, have been honored as 2026 CRN Channel Chiefs. This prestigious annual recognition celebrates key IT channel leaders who are driving change and shaping the future of the industry.

“Michelle and Geoff exemplify the forward-thinking leadership that is redefining what’s possible for our partners,” said Geoff Waters, Chief Revenue Officer, Barracuda. “Their efforts are transforming how our traditional partners and MSPs alike are delivering security – elevating service quality, expanding profitability and fueling the next era of innovation across our platform. Their impact is substantial, and their strategic vision is setting the direction for Barracuda’s channel growth and partner success well into the future.”

This recognition from CRN reinforces Barracuda’s unwavering commitment to empowering its partners with cutting-edge tools and innovative solutions to navigate the constantly shifting threat landscape. By prioritizing partner success, Barracuda enables channel organizations and their customers to minimize risk, accelerate their response to emerging threats and maintain a proactive, resilient approach to cybersecurity.

Here’s a closer look at Michelle and Geoff’s approach to driving channel success, the values that guide them, advice for partners, and more.

Michelle Hodges, Senior Vice President, Global Channels and Alliances

What is your personal channel philosophy?

I have been fortunate to work in IT through both the cloud transition and the rise of AI, serving as the kind of channel chief that companies seek out to guide them through market changes. During my career, I have helped establish modern customer buying cycles and fostered successful partnerships with key industry players. As the channel evolves, AI is becoming an essential element for modernizing the partner ecosystem. While AI offers new opportunities and challenges for MSPs, it is not replacing people but rather enhancing productivity for those who leverage it.

In what areas would you like to see channel partners invest in 2026?

A recent global survey by Barracuda revealed that 65% of IT and security professionals’ organizations are overwhelmed by too many security tools, highlighting a growing problem of fragmented solutions and vendor complexity in their environments. Channel partners should prioritize investment in managed services, integrated security platforms, automation, and meaningful customer engagement to differentiate in today’s fast-changing cybersecurity marketplace. Channel partners should also strive to deliver innovative, managed security services—including 24/7 managed detection and response, vulnerability management, and ID backup solutions—to better address evolving customer security needs and strengthen recurring revenue streams.

What will be the biggest challenges facing your partners in 2026, and how will you help partners overcome them?

Channel partners today face the complexity and rapid evolution of managed services, with many partners struggling to meet diverse customer needs, new market routes and the demand for integrated solutions over siloed products. Many lack strong marketing skills and scalable demand generation, putting them at a disadvantage in a crowded market. One of the ways Barracuda is helping partners overcome these challenges is by making partner programs more “fit for purpose.” This approach entails customizing our programs to accommodate various partner types, including MSPs, system integrators and emerging cloud providers, instead of relying on “one size fits all” models.

Geoff Thompson, Vice President, Managed Services Strategy and Development

What is your personal channel philosophy?

My channel philosophy is built on the belief that successful partnerships are earned through mutually aligned outcomes, transparency and execution excellence. The MSP model thrives when vendors act as true business partners, enabling MSPs to grow, differentiate and deliver measurable value to their customers. I primarily focus on building deep, trusted relationships with partners who are committed to achieving their customer outcomes. My approach is pragmatic and data-driven, understanding what MSPs need to win, helping them integrate and operationalize it efficiently, and aligning incentives so both sides scale profitably.

In what areas would you like to see channel partners invest in 2026?

The most successful MSPs will scale profitably by combining operational excellence, specialization and trusted client relationships. Based on this, in 2026, I’d like to see MSPs invest in integration and automation to improve their operating model, as well as AI-embedded service offerings to improve advisory and support services, while doubling down on managed XDR, email security, and identity protection offerings tailored to build lifetime value with their clients.

What will be the biggest challenges facing your partners in 2026, and how will you help partners overcome them?

In 2026, MSPs will face an increase in AI-generated security threats along with more traditional challenges such as margin pressure, talent and skill shortages and vendor sprawl. Many will struggle to scale profitably while keeping up with evolving AI-generated threats and increasing customer expectations. Barracuda will continue to develop award winning technology that will help MSPs overcome these barriers. Barracuda will support our MSPs by enhancing our programs to improve operational efficiency and drive recurring revenue growth.