ConnectWise, a prominent entity in the software and services sector targeting IT solution providers, has announced the appointment of Craig Rones as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Rones will spearhead the global marketing strategy, focusing on brand and demand generation, under the supervision of CEO Manny Rivelo.
This strategic appointment comes at a significant time as Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT teams grapple with the rapid integration of AI, rising cyber threats, and heightened customer expectations. Rones aims to align the positioning of ConnectWise’s platform with tangible outcomes for its partners, enabling revenue growth without increasing labor costs. This will be achieved through an intelligent, automated System of Action, drawing on over 25 years of insights from the MSP community.
A Leader for New Era
"Craig is the exact leader we need for this next chapter, and I am thrilled to welcome him to ConnectWise," stated Manny Rivelo, CEO of ConnectWise. Rivelo emphasized Rones' strategic vision, operational acumen, and understanding of the channel’s needs, which will bolster ConnectWise’s partnership with the MSP community as they advance Predictive IT™.
This strategic appointment comes at a significant time as Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Craig Rones expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, "I chose ConnectWise because this company sits at the center of the global MSP and IT ecosystem, with a rapidly evolving AI-native platform. My focus is on accelerating our platform’s value and delivering real, material outcomes for our partners." He emphasized the role of native automation and applied AI in driving operational leverage, leading to stronger margins and enhanced enterprise value.
Commitment to a Partner-First Strategy
Rones’ entry into ConnectWise highlights the company’s ongoing dedication to a partner-first, transparent marketing approach. His leadership is poised to unify branding and mission around converting platform innovations into measurable business results, backed by real-world insights and extensive MSP community expertise.
With over two decades of experience, Rones brings a wealth of knowledge in scaling global technology and security organizations. Previously serving as CMO at LevelBlue and Trustwave, his career also includes significant roles at NTT DATA and Dell. His foundation as a Certified Public Accountant in corporate finance equips him with a data-driven marketing approach, linking investments directly to business value and partner prosperity.
ConnectWise, the software and services company dedicated to the success of IT solution providers, announces the appointment of Craig Rones as Chief Marketing Officer. Rones will lead Global marketing strategy, brand, and demand generation, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Manny Rivelo.
Rones joins ConnectWise at a category-defining moment as Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT teams navigate AI adoption, escalating cyber risk, and growing customer expectations. Building on the recent launch of the ConnectWise platform and its native AI capabilities, he will focus on aligning ConnectWise’s platform positioning with real-world partner outcomes –helping partners grow revenue without growing labor, through an intelligent, automated System of Action and unique insights from 25+ years of MSP community expertise.
Category-defining moment
“Craig is the exact leader we need for this next chapter, and I am thrilled to welcome him to ConnectWise,” said Manny Rivelo, Chief Executive Officer, ConnectWise.
“He is a builder who brings an incredible mix of strategic vision, operational depth, and deep empathy for the channel. Craig understands that a great platform is only as strong as the trust behind it. His track record of building high-performing go-to-market organizations at leading cybersecurity and technology companies will help us elevate our partnership with the MSP community. He is here to ensure that as we advance Predictive IT™, our partners have the resources, the clarity, and the support they need to thrive.”
Driving operational leverage
“I chose ConnectWise because this company sits at the center of the global MSP and IT ecosystem, with a rapidly evolving AI-native platform, and the passion and depth of its partner community is unrivaled in the industry,” said Craig Rones.
“My focus is on accelerating our platform’s value and delivering real, material outcomes for our partners. We are going to show exactly how native automation and applied AI help partners grow revenue without growing labor – driving operational leverage into stronger margins and enterprise value, securely.”
Metric-driven approach
For ConnectWise, Rones’ appointment signals a continued commitment to a partner-first, transparent, and proof-based marketing strategy. His leadership will unify the company’s brand and positioning around a single mission: helping partners turn platform innovation into measurable business outcomes, grounded in compelling insights, real-world results, and the deep MSP community expertise that sets ConnectWise apart.
Rones brings more than 20 years of experience scaling global technology, security, and services organizations. Before joining ConnectWise, he served as CMO at LevelBlue (formerly AT&T Cybersecurity) and Trustwave, where he led high-stakes brand positioning and go-to-market strategies. He also held senior marketing leadership roles at NTT DATA and Dell. Rones began his career as a Certified Public Accountant in corporate finance and turnaround advisory. This unique background gives him a disciplined, data and metric-driven approach to marketing, allowing him to connect investments directly to business value and partner success.
