‘The opportunity ahead is massive,’ former Microsoft Vice President of Worldwide Channel Sales David Smith says.
One of Microsoft’s highest-ranking channel executives has decamped to Google, taking on a role working with Google’s ecosystem.
David Smith, a Microsoft veteran of almost 30 years and most recently its vice president of worldwide channel sales, said in a post on Microsoft-owned social media network that Tuesday marked his first day with artificial intelligence and cloud rival Google.
“I’m incredibly energized to join a company whose mission—to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful—is more vital than ever,” Smith said. “The opportunity ahead is massive. By leveraging Google’s innovation, we have a unique chance to help our customers truly unlock their full potential and solve their most complex challenges globally.
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Smith Heads To Google
CRN has reached out to Microsoft, Google and Smith for comment and for Smith’s new official title.
In Smith’s LinkedIn post, he added that “Google Partners are the ultimate force multiplier in this endeavor. I am eager to work hand-in-hand with this dynamic ecosystem to scale our impact and deliver unprecedented value to every customer.”
In a prior post marking his departure from Microsoft, Smith said that he is “grateful for the profound learning, the radical transformation in tech, and especially the trusted relationships built along the way” during his Microsoft career.
His most recent role with Microsoft gave him accountability for over $100 billion of partner-driven and co-sell revenue worldwide, according to his LinkedIn account. He worked with Microsoft global system integrators (GSIs), MSPs, hosters, telecommunications partners, scale solution providers, distributors and others.
Smith previously worked as vice president of the U.S. partner business until 2022 and VP of worldwide small and medium size business (SMB) sales from 2017 to 2022.
Smith was among three Microsoft executives included in CRN’s 2025 Channel Chiefs, reporting to Microsoft Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Channel Partner Sales Nicole Dezen.
Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft has about 500,000 partners worldwide and included among its top channel goals for 2025 increasing the overall percentage of company revenue that comes through the channel and improving partner profitability.
Google included increasing the amount of professional services going through partners among its top channel goals for 2025, according to CRN’s 2025 Channel Chiefs.
Other vendors to see changes with channel leadership this year include Salesforce, Cisco and Fortinet.