Glia Expands Channel Strategy with Appointment of Ray Hicken as Executive Advisor

Glia's Strategic Move with Ray Hicken

Recently, Glia, a leading player in customer interaction technology, made waves in the industry by welcoming Ray Hicken as its Executive Channel Advisor. His recent appointment is a strategic enhancement aimed at boosting Glia's channel initiatives and expanding its influence within the voice and digital customer interaction landscape.

Ray Hicken comes to Glia with a wealth of experience spanning decades. His most recent role was serving as Vice President of Channel Sales at NICE, where he skillfully led U.S. channel operations, helping to develop and execute growth strategies in partnership with strategic allies. He is well recognized in the industry, having received accolades such as the 2023 Top 20 UC/Contact Center Leaders and 2024 Channel Influencers of the Year. His track record showcases his expertise in building robust sales teams and creating impactful customer experience (CX) practices, particularly noted during his time at CarrierSales and Telarus.

In his new role at Glia, Hicken is charged with not just bolstering Glia's existing channel framework but also innovating it within a rapidly changing technological landscape. He expressed enthusiasm about joining a company that prides itself on breaking traditional molds of customer interaction technology. "Glia's ChannelLess® architecture and modern pricing model offer a refreshing departure from standard practices; I see tremendous potential here," he noted.

Hicken's arrival is a timely addition following the recent hiring of Chad Haydar, who now serves as Senior Vice President of Alliances & Channels. Together, they are expected to accelerate Glia's channel strategy, enhancing the organization's ability to offer differentiated solutions, especially in high-trust industries. Dan Michaeli, Glia's CEO and co-founder, emphasized the importance of Hicken's wealth of experience in propelling the company's aspirations in the channel ecosystem.

What sets Glia apart is its commitment to redefining how companies engage with their customers. They utilize the Unified Interaction Management platform that harmonizes voice and digital customer service. This unique approach aims to dismantle data silos and disrupted customer experiences often found in traditional customer contact platforms. Hicken believes that the innovations at Glia can significantly enhance efficiency and productivity for partners and customers.

The company is not new to notable achievements, having partnered with over 500 financial institutions globally, enhancing the customer experience while driving tangible business outcomes. Its consistent recognition, such as being named a Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ company and earning the title of a Great Place to Work, reinforces its strong reputation in the marketplace.

With an impressive roster of investors and a recent valuation surpassing $1 billion, Glia is strategically positioning itself as a formidable player in customer interaction technology. As Hicken and Haydar work to develop a more vibrant and effective channel ecosystem, the company is primed for growth and sustained success in delivering innovative customer solutions.

This partnership signals a promising future not just for Glia, but for its clients who can undoubtedly expect an enriched experience that is both responsive and cutting-edge. With leaders like Hicken now on board, the road ahead looks bright for Glia as it emphasizes its role in revolutionizing the customer interaction sphere.