Accel Expands Sales Team, Announces Channel Efforts

Accel Networks said Eric Sandoval has joined the company to lead its sales and marketing efforts. The company also has added Danielle Peterson and Jim Miller as regional directors.

As Accel’s vice president of sales and marketing, Sandoval will create and manage channel partner programs, and will also manage the company’s direct selling efforts. He has worked in sales management roles over the past 12 years for national managed service providers Relera, Epoch Networks, Netifice Communications and Megapath Inc.

“This is an exciting transition for Accel,” said Elaine Healy, president and COO of the company. “Eric has already distinguished himself as an energetic and innovative leader. Combined with his experience selling broadband communications solutions to regional and national retail chains, Eric will be a valuable asset in helping Accel reach the next level.”

Sandoval said the 5-year-old company, which decided to convert its products and services to wireless in 2005, is implementing a sales and marketing strategy which will fuel its future growth. Accel provides nationwide PCI Compliant fixed wireless broadband services to a number of retail chains and multisite clients such as Jamba Juice, Sunoco, Papa Murphy’s, and Uno Chicago Grill. Part of the new marketing strategy includes the company’s new Web site, which launched on Wednesday. Accel is structuring and building an agent program that it will formally announce by the end of first quarter.

Sandoval said Accel currently has an early adopter program, which will pay out 15 percent residual, and is evergreen with no commitments and no tiers. This program will be available through the fall Channel Partners Conference & Expo. At that time, the company will be implementing a tier structure.

“I joined to help build a sales organization that will have the reach that Accel deserves. We are building a great an exciting program that is agent-centric,” said Sandoval. “This is a product that is not a commodity and agents need it in their portfolio.”

Peterson comes aboard as regional director of sales for the eastern region and will be based in Boston; Miller has taken the position of regional director of sales for the western region based in San Jose, Calif. Peterson previously sold for Lucent and WorldComm, while Miller was with EarthLink, MegaPath and Telekenex.

“Jim and Danielle are A-list professionals, and we are very fortunate to add their talents at this stage in Accel’s growth,” said Sandoval. “Their enthusiasm and energy typifies our corporate culture; I know that they will be very happy and successful here.”

Accel Networks www.accel-networks.com