Provider Channel Managers and a Channel Executive received recognition at the 2026 Sandler Partners National Summit at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The annual event, attended by over 1,100 members of the Sandler Partners community, featured sessions on the latest technologies across the Tech, Sales, and Growth tracks, a Keynote, and more – all built to help Partners grow their business. Participants were also able to connect with 65+ featured technology Providers onsite in the Exhibit Hall.
Sandler Partners congratulates the following award winners:
Channel Executive of the Year Award Recipient:
- Chad Townes, AT&T
National Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:
- Kevin Bednarz, Granite
- Stevie Heap, Comcast Business
- Patrick Cupp, CallTower
- Jennifer Rutherford, Zayo
- Sarah Manley, AT&T
- Brett Harman, AT&T
- Nikki Beck, Front
- Matt Winterburn, Lumen
East Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:
- New York/New Jersey | Tom Mezzapella, Comcast Business
- Mid-Atlantic | Connor Cook, Comcast Business
- Georgia & The Carolinas | Kristina Pagano, Five9
- New England | Kyle Michaels, Vonage
- Florida | Henry Cruz, Telesystem
Southwest Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:
West Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:
- SoCal | Yvette Bratt, Broadvoice
- NorCal | Brad Pepper, GTT
- AZ/NV/UT | Max Howell, NHC
Midwest Region Channel Manager of the Year Award Recipients:
- Great Lakes | Sarah MacDonald, Five9
- Pacific Northwest | Chris Risse, Comcast Business
- Mountain | Mark Merritt III, Spectrum
- Mountain | Nicole Brungardt, Comcast Business
- Central | Peter Gasparro, Zultys
- Midwest | Kirsten Bonnesen, AT&T
“Channel Managers are often the first point of contact for our Partners,” says Managing Partner Alan Sandler. “What sets them apart is how much they care about the outcomes they help create. You see it in the extra effort, the collaboration, and the drive to find the right solution for every customer. This year’s winners work side by side with our Partners to build trust, solve problems, and make the experience better from start to finish. That’s what the Sandler Partners community is all about.”
This year’s National Summit also featured The Surfrider Foundation as our designated charity partner, with an on-site exhibit sharing their mission to protect the world’s oceans and coastlines—and ways for attendees to get involved through personal action and support.