Fortinet® announced last February 22 that Kendra Krause, vice president of channel sales at Fortinet, was recognized as the 2010 Channel Chief by Everything Channel’s CRN. Channel Chiefs lead in creating effective channel programs for solution providers. Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a market-leading network security provider and a topnotch company for unified threat management (UTM) solutions.

Fortinet consistently defends, promotes and executes effective channel partner programs and strategies. Also recognized a CRN Top Woman in the Channel in 2008 and 2009, Krause has been part of Fortinet in July 2007. From then, shehas driven the creation of an industry-leading FortiPartner™ channel program. No doubt, she deserves high recognition for her achievements.

Kraise said that it is a tremendous honor to be named a CRN Channel Chiefand that receiving such recognition further validates Fortinet’s commitment to, and investment in, the FortiPartner program the past year, regardless of the tumultuous economy. She said that they will surely continue to help their partners create opportunities beyond just selling products but also innovative services and recurring sales opportunities this year.

The Channel Chiefs were chosen by Everything Channel for the eight consecutive years, as based on criteria including policy and program innovations made during the past year. They achieve the recognition because of the amount of revenue their company generates through partners, their readiness to speak out publicly on behalf of the channel, and the long years of dedication to channel activities.

Kelley Damore, VP, Editorial Director, Everything Channel, said his gratitude towards the prestigious honors that their company has received. Top channel executives constantly ensure that the Channel’s voice is heard when strategic decisions are being made and persistently, we nurture mutually profitable relationships.