Preston Carpenter, AT&T Alliance Channel - National Channel Director of Partner Sales
Organization Name: AT&T Business
Organization Description:
AT&T Partner Solutions is reinventing how we deliver our products and services, giving business customers more choices in how to transform with the power of our network. It houses AT&T Business indirect sales channels, including Alliance | ACC Business | AT&T Partner Exchange | AT&T Wholesale | Ecosystem Partner Solutions.
Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 1,250 characters):
As National Channel Director of Partner Sales in the AT&T Alliance Channel, Preston Carpenter leads partner development with Technology Solution Distributors (TSDs), driving growth and fostering collaboration across one of AT&T Business's key customer segments. Since joining AT&T in 2023, Preston has delivered exceptional results managing strategic partnerships with [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]. Notably, his relentless commitment and forward-thinking approach led to a significant milestone-achieving [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] YoY volume growth [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] -demonstrating his ability to deliver outstanding business results for both partners and AT&T.
Preston is widely recognized for his proactive leadership, strong work ethic, and dedication to both partner and team success. He consistently exceeds expectations, nurturing high-value relationships and providing steadfast support to colleagues, which distinguishes him as a top performer in the industry. His strategic vision and ability to drive substantial business growth have earned him well-deserved acclaim.
With over 25 years of telecommunications industry experience, Preston's background includes impactful roles such as National Partner Development Manager and Senior Regional Channel Manager at Spectrum and Channel Manager at Windstream, where he was honored eleven times as a Windstream Elite Winner. His proven expertise and leadership continue to elevate the AT&T Alliance Channel's success.
Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1, 2023 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 1,500 characters):
Since joining AT&T in 2023, Preston has quickly become a pivotal force in driving partnership success. Initially focused on strengthening collaboration with [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION], he soon took on additional responsibility for [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] -AT&T's largest TSD-while continuing to deliver outstanding results with both partners. Preston's proactive approach, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment have deepened trust and fostered greater collaboration, solidifying his reputation as a dependable and innovative leader.
His leadership has helped AT&T advance to become [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] number two supplier by revenue, a testament to his influence and effectiveness in managing complex partnerships. Among Preston's standout achievements is securing the business of a new customer for AT&T-a radio station paired over 520 FM stations and translators across the US. Through his guidance, AT&T won 120+ dedicated internet circuits and 15 broadband circuits, [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] and laying the groundwork for future opportunities.
Preston's dedication is further reflected in his earning the prestigious Telarus Coin of Excellence five times-a rare honor reserved for top performers in a highly competitive industry. This repeated recognition underscores the significant impact of his contributions and the high esteem in which he is held.
Preston's blend of strategic vision, commitment, and leadership excellence makes him an invaluable asset to AT&T. His work consistently delivers measurable results and sets a high standard for partnership excellence, making him a standout candidate for recognition.
Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 1,500 characters):
Preston's achievements in sales leadership have set a new industry benchmark, consistently surpassing both internal targets and external averages. Over the past three years, he achieved extraordinary [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] year-over-year growth rate with a key partner-far exceeding industry norms in a highly competitive market.
What sets Preston apart is his commitment to innovation. Rather than relying on traditional sales tactics, he pioneered the use of advanced analytics and digital platforms to uncover new market opportunities and accelerate growth. By leveraging real-time digital dashboards, Preston gained instant insight into partner performance, enabling him to swiftly identify trends, address challenges proactively, and implement strategies tailored to each partner's unique strengths. This data-driven approach allowed him to focus on initiatives and products with the highest potential impact, maximizing results across the partnership portfolio.
Beyond impressive metrics, Preston's leadership has transformed team culture, fostering high performance, adaptability, and continuous improvement. His influence is recognized through company accolades and prestigious industry awards. Compared to peers-and even his own prior achievements-Preston's recent successes represent a significant leap in both sales results and strategic impact, distinguishing him as an outstanding and forward-thinking leader in the field.