Claris Networks, a ‘cloud computing’ and managed IT service provider, announced the appointment of Walt Robinson to the position of senior vice president, Corporate Development. He will be located in the company’s Chattanooga branch office, and he will service the surrounding region.  Mr. Robinson brings more than 25 years of broad marketing, finance and corporate strategy experience and will be responsible for driving Claris’ medium and large enterprise client strategies.  

"Walt comes to Claris as a proven corporate strategist and marketing executive," said Claris CEO and President Larry Bodie.  "His broad experience will provide our targeted clients a unique perspective of how IT can best be utilized by the enterprise market.  His record of success will immediately help accelerate our growth in this region and further establish Claris as a leader in the ‘cloud computing’ and managed IT service provider market."

Mr. Robinson joins Claris from Rezzer Capital Management where he served as managing partner leading private equity opportunities in the technology and media investment spaces. Prior to Rezzer Capital, he served as the commercial banking sales executive for East Tennessee at Regions Financial where he led the marketing efforts to medium to large enterprises in the bank’s largest geographic region.  From 1997-2004, Mr. Robinson served as chief financial officer for several emerging international telecommunications and technology companies.  He was also affiliated with the investment banking firm TD Securities and General Motors’ International Treasury Office, both located in New York City.  Mr. Robinson also currently serves as an executive mentor to The Company Lab, Chattanooga’s entrepreneurial center and is an advisory board member of Chattanooga-based investment bank FourBridges Capital Advisors.  

A native of Chattanooga, he is a graduate of The McCallie School and later earned a BA in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University and a MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

"The ‘cloud computing’ and managed IT services market is disrupting how enterprises have traditionally done technology,” said Mr. Robinson.  “Delivering highly reliable, ‘always-on’ IT services as an outsourced predictable monthly expense is driving value to the enterprise.  Claris Networks stands out as a leader in their industry with a proven track record in delivering reliable managed IT services to its clients with world-class customer service. I am thrilled to be a part of their future here in the Chattanooga area."