NetSPI Named a Finalist in Three Categories for CRN’s Inaugural 2025 Best of the Channel Awards

The leading solution in proactive security and Continuous Threat & Exposure Management (CTEM) is recognized for its innovation, leadership, and commitment to channel excellence

MINNEAPOLIS, July 22, 2025 – CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, announced NetSPI as a finalist in the first-ever CRN Best of the Channel Awards. NetSPI earned the honor in three categories:

• Best Channel Visionary of the Year – Vendor Distributor: Aaron Shilts, President and CEO
• Best Channel Chief of the Year: Alvaro Warden, Vice President of Worldwide Channels
• Best Channel Team of the Year: NetSPI

The awards celebrate the achievements of innovative channel leaders, teams, and companies within the IT channel. Recipients represent dedicated, bold, and partner-focused individuals and businesses in the technology sector. 

NetSPI’s Global Channel Team includes Alvaro Warden, Vice President of Worldwide Channels, Danielle Branson, Channel Account Manager, Nicole McCowan, Channel Account Manager, Patrick O’Conner, Channel Account Manager, Sam Kennedy, Channel Account Manager, Scott Henderson, Channel Solutions Architect, and Monicka Mann, Senior Director, Field and Partner Marketing.

This team supports 148 partners across the U.S. and EMEA, prioritizing a channel-first strategy that maximizes collaboration through providing access to enablement resources and centralized go-to-market content. This investment in partner engagement led to 87 percent growth year over year in partner-sourced deals and 423 percent growth year over year in total channel revenues.

Under the leadership of Aaron Shilts, NetSPI has transformed its partner strategy. Shilts aided the enablement of launching the Executive Briefing Center, a platform for direct communication between partners and NetSPI. The system, along with other strategic initiatives, strengthened relationships and collaboration within the company’s channel environment.  

Since joining NetSPI in 2024, Alvaro Warden has been instrumental in driving the company’s partner-centric agenda. He championed the shift from a direct-to-customer model to a channel-first approach, unlocking new growth opportunities and deepening customer relationships. Warden’s vision inspired organizational change, positioning NetSPI for long-term channel success. 

“Building a world class channel isn’t about the number of partners; it’s about the depth of each relationship and the mutual success we create,” said Warden. “At NetSPI, that’s the standard we strive for, and this recognition is a reflection of the effort, trust, and collaboration our team pours into upholding that expectation.”

View the full list of CRN Best of the Channel Awards finalists online at crn.com/best-of-the-channel-awards. CRN will announce the winners at the Best of the Channel Awards Gala on Oct. 14 in Atlanta, GA.

About NetSPI

NetSPI is the leader in proactive cybersecurity, helping businesses identify, prioritize, and remediate critical vulnerabilities. With AI-driven continuous testing solutions including Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), External Attack Surface Management (EASM), Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management (CAASM), and Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) as a Service, NetSPI delivers actionable measures to strengthen security posture tailored to your business. Available on AWS Marketplace and trusted by top global brands, including 90% of the top 10 U.S. banks and many Fortune 500 companies, NetSPI is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN with offices worldwide. Follow us on LinkedIn and X. 

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world’s top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com. 

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The Channel Company Contact

Kristin DaSilva
The Channel Company
kdasilva@thechannelcompany.com

NetSPI Contact

Michelle Peterson
Michelle.Peterson@netspi.com
(612) 559-2176