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.

Quake Global

Quake Global - The Leading Provider of Synchronized Asset Intelligence Solutions. Our primary focus is IoT, Telematics, Modems, M2M, and RTLS.  With 25 years of industry experience, QUAKE™ provides powerful solutions for asset management and monitoring. Quake Global has pioneered millions of products for its customers in Heavy Machinery, Transportation, EV, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Maritime, and Healthcare utilizing Terrestrial, Satellite, RFID, and BLE communications. Quake is the leading manufacturer of Machine to Machine (M2M) Modems for advanced data acquisition through Cellular, Satellite, and GPS.

Contact me to see how Quake Global can help your business.

Director, North America

Lucid Logistics

Lucid Logistics is a division of Quake Global - The Leading Provider of Synchronized Asset Intelligence Solutions. Our primary focus is IoT, Telematics, Modems, M2M, and RTLS. With 25 years of industry experience, QUAKE™ provides powerful solutions for asset management and monitoring. Quake Global has pioneered millions of products for its customers in Heavy Machinery, Transportation, EV, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Maritime, and Healthcare utilizing Terrestrial, Satellite, RFID, and BLE communications. Quake is the leading manufacturer of Machine to Machine (M2M) Modems for advanced data acquisition through Cellular, Satellite, and GPS.

Contact me to see how Quake Global can help your business.

Director of North America

Cel-Fi by Nextivity

Managed and Created Marketing Department for Wireless Start-up that needed to establish a brand identity, channel marketing across 200 Operators in 100 countries, and expand product line from consumer to enterprise and public safety.  Created media relationships and media plan with PR Agency, and marketing-development-fund for channel programs.  Partnered with Sales and Engineering to globally launch in-building cellular and public safety wireless solutions to 2-tier channel and mobile operators.  Received numerous awards for Cel-Fi 5G / LTE,  Public Safety, IoT, and innovation with SaaS solutions.  All aspects of Marketing - Product Marketing, Marcom, Social, PR, and Media.

• 	Brand Management and Messaging
•	Marcom and Content Creation 
•	Marketing Budgeting and Planning
•	Product and Channel Marketing
•	Public Relations / Media Relations
•	Social Media and Website
•	Tradeshows and Demand Generation
•	Partner and Vendor Management
•	Online Sales and Amazon Management 
•	Software Project Management: Digital Asset Library Development 
•	Software Project Management: Marketing Database Development

Sr. Director

Toshiba

Managed the Storage and Memory Product Lines for Americas.  Created launch process from Design to Go-To-Market for all product lines.  Partnered with Sales Team to deliver cohesive messaging and clear roadmap; while developing Branding and Demand from Ad & Promo strategy.  Grew Online Selling Partners and Amazon Business.  Managed agency partnerships and lifted brand to #2 position.

•	Product Development 
•	Product Marketing
•	Public Relations
•	Social Media and Website
•	Tradeshows and Demand Generation
•	Software Planning
•	Partner and Vendor Management
•	Customer Experience
•	Online Sales and Amazon Management

Director - Branded Storage Division

Sony Electronics

Managed Sales, Marketing, Development, and Operations for IT & In-Home Services, Warranties, Mobile Phones, Gaming, Software, and Accessories.  Managed 4 P&L’s as General Manager- Premium Services, Sony Mobile, PlayStation, and 3rd Party Accessories.

•	Product Management and Development 
•	Product Marketing, Merchandising, and Promotions - Retail, Online, Channel, and Aftermarket
•	Marketing, Sales, and Operations - Retail, Online, Channel, and Aftermarket
•	CRM / POS / LMS / Phone Activation Software Project Management   
•	Social Media Project Management
•	Partner and Vendor Management
•	Channel Management
•	Customer Experience
•	Business Planning and ROI Analysis
•	Instore and Online Direct Sales

Director and General Manager - IT Product Division

Created New Sales Revenue Streams for Service, Support, Configure-to-Order, Build-to-Order, Point-of-Sale, and Aftermarket.  Developed Service Strategies that brought #1 Scores in PC Mag and PC World, and reduced costs by 40%.  Streamlined Processes, Created More Customer Friendly Service Options, and Lowered Inventory Exposure.  

•	POS & Aftermarket Sales
•	Service Strategy
•	Repair Operations and Parts Management
•	Product Management: New Revenue Programs Services, Software, and Accessories
•	Call Center Operations
•	Software Project Management: Phone Tree System
•	Software Project Management: Web Chat Sales and Support Portal
•	Software Project Management: Services Administration System 
•	Website Strategy and Project Management 
•	CRM Strategy and Project Management   
•	Social Media Strategy and Project Management
•	Partner and Vendor Management
•	Customer Experience
•	Business Planning and ROI Analysis

Senior Business Planning Manager – IT Product Division

Created New Product Placement and Aftermarket Sales Revenue Streams while Lowering Software Licensing Costs for Sony VAIO PC Division.  Managed Software Business Development and Localization, including all Partner Negotiation and Contracts for IT Division.   Sony VAIO is the leader in innovation, and first to market with new technology integrated in the thinnest and lightest laptops in the world.

•	POS and Aftermarket Revenue Generation
•	Cost Reduction
•	Software Design/Localization
•	Software Project Management
•	Partner and Vendor Management
•	Customer Experience
•	Business Planning and ROI Analysis

Business Development Manager – IT Product Division

Project Managed release of PC, Software, New Technologies, and Accessories to US and Latin markets for Sony VAIO PC Division.  Managed cross-functional team and communication between global groups, hardware engineering, software engineering, integration, manufacturing, marketing, service, and key partners.  

•	Master Scheduling
•	Hardware Project Management
•	Software Application Project Management
•	Software Design/Localization
•	Software Database Design and Project Management
•	Process Engineering

Engineering Program Manager – IT Product Division

Project Managed the Process Improvement and SAP transition for the PC Division to become Y2K compliant. 12 Separate tracks with both internal and outside resources, managing the outside consulting agencies for Manufacturing, Service, Parts, Logistics, and Product Management.  Brought into project midway, as the project was 1 year behind.  Managed the project to successful completion and featured in Business Week.

Senior Project Manager - HP Consulting

Microsoft

Worked with WebTV to integrate newly acquired start-up into Microsoft. Focus was cost reduction and user retention. Managed projects for Call Center, Web, and New User Experience. Eliminated 40% of Costs.  Created a new phone tree and self-support initiatives to help customers.  Worked with new partners for search and used new data analytics to create more self-support solutions and product feedback to both Microsoft engineering and SONY IT Division hardware partner.

•	Out-of-Box Customer Experience Project 
•	Software Project Management: Search Partner Integration
•	Software Project Management: Phone Tree System
•	Software Project Management: Database and Metric Portal Creation
•	Web Project Management: Self Support Initiatives
•	Call Center Partner Management

Project Manager – WebTV Division

Supported high-end server division with primary focus of analyzing new sales business development opportunities and recommending how to utilize Onyx Inventory for solution creation with Channel Partners. ROI Analysis and Monthly Sales Reporting on leveraging $2M of Development Equipment Inventory.

•	Channel Partner Management
•	Operations and Engineering Liaison
•	Sales Reporting
•	Sales Demo / Dev Equipment Management
•	Marketing Investment Proposal Analysis

Associate Product Manager - Onyx Division

Sales and Marketing Management Professional with expertise in building teams, stream lining processes, improving customer experience, managing partners, reducing costs, and creating new revenue programs.  Entrepreneurial and Global Cross Functional Leader with recognition of excellence in product and services launch.  

* Entrepreneurial 
* Process Improvement
* Strategic Partner Management
* New Revenue Generation
* Sales & Business Development
* Marketing
* Product Management
* Customer Experience
* Press and Media
* Social Media
* eCommerce
* Trade Shows
* Channel Programs

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