Doug Houghton from Alkira Honored as One of CRN's Top 100 Executives for 2025

Recognition of Leadership

In a remarkable achievement, Doug Houghton, Director of Channels at Alkira, has been honored by CRN, a prominent brand under The Channel Company, as one of the Top 100 Executives for 2025. This celebrated list recognizes outstanding leaders in the technology industry who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation and the growth of IT channels.

Houghton’s leadership has been pivotal during a significant growth phase for Alkira, particularly as demand for AI-ready networking infrastructure continues to rise rapidly. Under his guidance, the company has experienced phenomenal growth, boasting a staggering 255% increase in annual contract value through channels year-over-year. Furthermore, Alkira’s revenue has doubled from the fiscal year 2024 to 2025, something that underscores the efficacy of Houghton’s strategic initiatives.

A partner-led business model has been a cornerstone of Alkira's success; in fact, 72% of new client acquisitions have come from channel partnerships, with over 60% of the company’s 130 global partners actively involved in generating new opportunities. Houghton’s strategic focus on expanding the company’s global footprint into markets such as Canada, China, and Australia has been instrumental in establishing Alkira as a leader in agile networking solutions for enterprises worldwide.

CRN's Top 100 Executives List

The CRN Top 100 Executives list is more than just an accolade; it highlights exceptional business acumen among leaders within the technology sector. The list is divided into four categories: the 25 Most Influential Executives, Top 25 Channel Sales Leaders, Top 25 Innovators, and Top 25 Channel Disruptors. Each of the executives recognized has leveraged their particular strengths to fuel innovation and steer the industry in new directions.

According to Jennifer Follett, VP at The Channel Company, “Every executive on this list exemplifies extraordinary leadership and a deep understanding of channels, effectively fostering partner ecosystem success.” This prestigious acknowledgment is not only a recognition of Houghton’s individual capabilities but also a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire Alkira team.

Reflecting on this honor, Houghton expressed, “It’s a true privilege to be acknowledged among the top executives in the IT channel by CRN. This recognition is a tribute to the dedication and passion of the entire Alkira team, whose relentless pursuit of innovation is transforming enterprise networking. Together, we actively empower organizations and partners with reliable, scalable, and secure network solutions that facilitate digital transformation and deliver authentic business value.” This commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology exemplifies Alkira's goal of redefining networking.

Insights into Alkira and The Channel Company

Alkira, recognized as a leader in Network Infrastructure on Demand, transforms how enterprises connect. By uniting various environments, sites, and users through a cloud-based network infrastructure, Alkira provides seamless network management with familiar controls, policies, and security protocols that network administrators can rely on. Its services are designed to scale easily without demanding new hardware, software installations, or complex learning curves.

Alkira’s solutions appeal to a wide range of clients, including Fortune 100 enterprises and global managed service providers. To explore more, visit their website alkira.com.

The Channel Company (TCC), the organization behind CRN, specializes in facilitating channel growth for leading technology brands. TCC's services allow technology vendors, solution providers, and end-users to navigate their strategic channels more effectively. For more information on TCC, visit thechannelco.com. The upcoming August issue of CRN Magazine will further showcase the 2025 Top 100 Executives list, with coverage starting online on July 28 at www.CRN.com/Top100.

Conclusion

The recognition of Doug Houghton in the CRN Top 100 Executives list underlines the vital role of leadership in nurturing innovation within the technology sector. As Alkira continues to thrive under his guidance, it sets a benchmark for others in the industry to follow, proving that dedication to growth and partnership can lead to unparalleled success.