Reader Spotlight: Chris Chirgwin, Lanspeed
A conversation with Chris Chirgwin, Lanspeed
In this Reader Spotlight, Lanspeed CEO Chris Chirgwin shares a little about himself, company, and the state of the channel.
Summarize your background/professional experience.
Chirgwin: I’ve been CEO of Lanspeed since 2005 and have been in the IT industry since 1995.
What is one interesting/humorous/entertaining fact about you?
Chirgwin: I competed in the World's Toughest Mudder at the age of 40, finishing in the top third and running in freezing weather for 50 miles.
What verticals do you serve and what services and technologies do you sell?
Chirgwin: Sixty percent of our revenue comes from local government and K-12 education. We are primarily an MSP, although we do provide project services as well for our MSP clients.
What vendor partners do you work with?
Chirgwin: Aruba, Datto, Sophos, and Microsoft.
What is the best sales opportunity on your 12-to-18-month horizon?
Chirgwin: We see a large demand for managed services around the network and integration with cloud.
What threatens that opportunity?
Chirgwin: I don't see any significant threats other than a general economic recession
What could accelerate it?
Chirgwin: More government funding for schools and local governments.
What is the most difficult aspect of leading an IT service provision company?
Chirgwin: The high cost of living in Santa Barbara and finding qualified IT support staff.
How are you attacking that challenge?
Chirgwin: By doing as much remotely as possible: We have employees in four states and most work from home.
In the context of running your business, what apps/tools/utilities could you not live without?
Both ConnectWise and Labtech.
On the flip side of that, what would you be happy to do without?
Chirgwin: Nothing comes to mind.