Vince Menzione

Founder of Cloud Wave Partners LLC

I help technology leaders thrive in an era of rapid, tectonic change—mastering Microsoft, AWS, and Google partnerships to drive growth, innovation, and impact.

From scaling startups to leading a $4.6B business at Microsoft, I’ve learned one enduring truth: success is built on meaningful connections—between people, ideas, and opportunities. And the multiplier is always trust.

I was raised in a close-knit Italian family in New Jersey. My grandfather arrived in the U.S. with $20 in his pocket and built sustainable businesses through grit and determination. My dad—an Army veteran of WWII—taught me that integrity and trust aren’t “nice to have.” They’re everything. Those lessons became the foundation of my leadership.

I’ve spent my career building—and rebuilding—organizations through partnerships:

In the startup world, I helped scale a company from $6M to $125M and to a successful public exit.

At General Dynamics, I turned around a struggling division—driving exponential growth, securing $20M in defense appropriations, and delivering roughly a third of the company’s revenue by aligning partners around execution.

Then came nearly a decade at Microsoft, where I led the U.S. Public Sector Partner business through a major transformation. We grew revenue from $2.5B to $4.6B, helped shape the modern cloud reseller model, and built high-performing teams known for alignment, results, and credibility.

But along the way, I saw a gap: leaders didn’t just need strategy decks. They needed focus, practical frameworks, and a trusted space to learn from one another.

So in 2017, I founded Ultimate Partner® to be that compass for technology leaders navigating ecosystem-led growth. Through the Ultimate Guide to Partnering® podcast (270+ episodes) and Ultimate Partner LIVE events, I bring together top voices from Microsoft, AWS, Google, and the broader partner ecosystem. I also developed the 8 Principles of Partnering Success—a practical framework leaders use to align strategy and drive measurable outcomes.

My mission is simple: empower leaders and their organizations to grow with clarity, connection, and credibility—building partnerships that scale with purpose.

If you’re building in the hyperscaler ecosystem—and want to grow faster, execute better, and lead with trust—let’s connect.

Founder

Over six years ago, I embarked on a mission to empower partners struggling to navigate the complex world of tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and AWS. 

Having witnessed the industry from multiple perspectives – leading a $4.6 billion Ecosystem at Microsoft, spearheading partnerships for a billion-dollar company, and hosting 200 episodes of the Ultimate Guide to Partnering®, I’ve gained invaluable insights and crafted a manifesto of principles to guide your success.

In an era defined by tectonic shifts, such as the global pandemic, economic headwinds, and the rise of AI, the role of hyperscalers has become increasingly critical. With investments of billions of dollars in ecosystems, technology, and customer acquisition costs, they have secured over $200 billion in customer commitments to durable cloud budgets. We stand on the precipice of a marketplace moment where simplifying and streamlining economic models associated with co-selling and ecosystem-led growth will shape the decade ahead.

Yet, as vendors and organizations demand more from us while resources diminish, we ask, “Where do we go? How do we navigate these seismic shifts? How do we thrive during this decade of the ecosystem?”

If you’re a partner, you’re likely grappling with these questions. The watering holes of the past no longer offer the guidance required to transform into a Cloud GTM and embrace Ecosystem Led Growth. That’s why Ultimate Partner exists – to be your trusted compass amidst the noise.

Visit our website, tune into Ultimate Guide to Partnering and join The Ultimate Partner LIVE events.

Jim Lee

Accountability for over $70B of partner-driven revenue across the Americas. The end-client includes Small Medium Corporate (SMC) and Enterprise including the top Strategic customers. My team focuses on enabling and achieving transformational impact with our Services/Consulting partners. These partners consist of Global Systems Integrators, Advisory Firms, Managed Service Providers and Cloud Solution Providers (CSP)/Hosters. My accountability includes driving joint Azure Consumed Revenue, Marketplace Billed Sales, Co-selling Sales, Biz Apps, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure and Security Solutions. 

Previously, I was the Vice President of the U.S. Consulting organization for Microsoft. In this role, I led a team driving strategy, industry solution/sales enablement, delivery enablement, partner/channel management, consumption excellence, and strategic pursuits.

Prior to Microsoft, I worked with Sun Microsystems (acquired by Oracle), as the U.S. General Manager for Public Sector. I am passionate about bridging the digital divide globally. This was fueled by my work at the World Bank where I was the regional Technology Manager for Africa and portions of Europe. I went to Virginia Union University (HSBC) and then transferred to the University of Arkansas and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. I received my Executive Training from Harvard University. It is a privilege to sit on the board of the DC Police Foundation and committee member helping Paralyzed Veterans of America. A deep passion of mine is motivational speaking to help people focus on the power of the mind to achieve life goals with a focus on health, family, and work.

Vice President, US Global Partner Solutions & Sales

As we step into 2026, Carrie and I have been talking a lot about goals that actually change your life when no one is watching.

Big goals aren’t crushed in a single moment. They’re built through consistency, discipline, and the quiet decision to show up again, even when progress feels slow or invisible. We’ve learned that momentum comes from doing the small things well, protecting your energy, and staying patient with the process.

Here’s to a year of intentional growth, focused effort, and progress that compounds. Set the goal, commit to the work then trust that the results will follow.

Wishing you clarity, resilience, and momentum in 2026.
#HappyNewYear #Leadership

Vice President, Americas Global Partner Solutions & Sales at Microsoft

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I’ve been immersed in CES coverage, and a few patterns are worth noting.

Three signals stood out to me:

1) Ambient AI that quietly improves decisions and reduces friction, rather than adding more apps and complexity.

2) Technology built around human well-being, wearables and environments that respond to stress, focus, and recovery, not just raw performance.

3) Enterprise tools designed with trust first, where security, transparency, and accountability are core features, not afterthoughts.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re a preview of where innovation is really heading.

What was your biggest CES highlight?
#technology #AI #CES2026

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The Battle

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Jim Lee

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