Commvault appointed Brian Lanigan as chief partner officer, adding a leader with over two decades of experience in building vendor ecosystems to guide its global alliances strategy.
Lanigan will report to Geoff Haydon, president of customer and field operations, and direct the expansion of Commvault’s network of hyperscalers, managed service providers, distributors, resellers, systems integrators, and strategic technology partners. The Tinton Falls, N.J.-based firm focuses on data protection and management technology.
Lanigan’s background and what Commvault hopes to achieve
Before joining Commvault, Lanigan served as senior vice president of partner ecosystem at SentinelOne for more than two years. His career also includes positions at Lacework, which Fortinet acquired in 2024, as well as Splunk, HP Software, Peregrine Systems, Overture Services, and Keylime Software.
Lanigan said he was eager to join Commvault while it leads in AI and cyber resilience. “I look forward to working with our global partner ecosystem to create new opportunities for growth, deliver exceptional customer outcomes, and expand the value Commvault brings to organizations around the world,” he stated.
Haydon highlighted Lanigan’s cybersecurity knowledge and history of developing partner programs. “His leadership and experience make him the right person to guide the next phase of Commvault’s partner ecosystem growth,” Haydon said.
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Some partners have shared their views on the hire. Dave Hiechel, president and CEO of Eagle Technologies, a Kansas-based solution provider and long-time Commvault partner, noted that the company’s channel program is strong but could use more uniformity across business units and regions. “I’m looking forward to a little bit more top-down leadership instead of the grassroots, ‘grow your own’ approach they’ve used,” he said.
Hiechel also hoped Lanigan would help Commvault invest more in channel enablement, especially as the company’s product changes quickly. “Their product is evolving fast, and keeping the channel up-to-date on both the technical side for our engineering and MSP business and the sales process is a big task,” he added.
The appointment follows a year of strong financial results. In fiscal 2026, total revenue rose 19% year-over-year to $1.2 billion, fueled by annual recurring revenue and subscription earnings. The company also strengthened its data security portfolio by acquiring Satori Cyber in July 2024.
Lanigan’s hiring is part of a series of executive changes at Commvault. Earlier in the year, Gary Merrill became CFO after Jen DiRico left, while Haydon took the role of president of customer and field operations following his board appointment in October. In July 2025, Alan Atkinson moved to chief business development officer, and Michelle Graff joined as senior vice president of global partners and channel.
These shifts come as Commvault explores a possible sale, with private equity firm Thoma Bravo mentioned as a potential buyer. The company is working with Goldman Sachs on the process, though no decision has been made public.
For partners like Eagle Technologies, where Commvault represents over a third of revenue, the leadership change may signal a more organized approach to channel growth. Whether this leads to real improvements for resellers and MSPs is unclear, but some partners are optimistic.
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The chief partner officer role has grown more important in enterprise software, where partnerships often drive most sales. Companies depend on these networks for distribution, co-selling, integration, and customer retention. Lanigan’s task will be to bring consistency to a program some partners call uneven while keeping up with rapid product changes.
A shifting company
Commvault’s recent financial performance and acquisitions show it is preparing for a competitive cybersecurity and data management market. The Satori Cyber deal aimed to boost its data security capabilities, matching industry trends toward integrated security and resilience solutions.
The executive moves over the past year suggest an effort to streamline operations and ready the company for different outcomes, including a sale. While no deal is confirmed, Goldman Sachs’ involvement points to serious discussions. For now, Commvault continues to build momentum, with Lanigan’s appointment showing a focus on strengthening its partner network.
His success may hinge on balancing the needs of large hyperscalers with those of smaller resellers and MSPs. The channel has long been a key revenue source for Commvault, and any mistakes in managing these relationships could have major effects. At the same time, the company’s fast innovation—especially in AI and cyber resilience—means partners will need steady support to stay aligned with new offerings.
Partners like Hiechel are cautiously hopeful that Lanigan’s leadership will bring more structure and investment to the program. If he succeeds, it could help Commvault strengthen its position in a crowded market, whether as an independent business or under new ownership.
