Gabriel Navakas
Skokie,IL
Summary
Channel and go-to-market executive with 20+ years of success driving revenue growth, scaling strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing teams. Proven record managing $300M+ portfolios, delivering double-digit growth, and building innovative GTM strategies across North America. Recognized for aligning vision with execution, streamlining channel operations, and accelerating market expansion through data-driven decision making and cross-functional leadership.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of North America DMR Channels – Sr Director
DTEN Inc
02.2022 - Current
- Created the North American strategy and executed the comprehensive DMR Channel plan and Program, aligning business objectives with market trends to maximize distribution efficiency, enhance partner engagement, and drive revenue growth
- Designed and implemented a robust channel organizational structure for the United States and Canada, streamlining operations, improving communication, and ensuring scalability to support long-term expansion
- Led DMR Channel Development, identifying new opportunities, fostering strategic partnerships, and refining channel strategies to strengthen market positioning and accelerate business growth
- Managed the DMR Channel P&L, overseeing financial performance, optimizing investment strategies, and ensuring alignment with corporate goals to enhance profitability and operational effectiveness
- Achieved 12% year-to-date growth in North America in 2025, demonstrating successful execution of channel strategies, strong partner collaboration, and effective market engagement.
Director of NA Channels, Strategy & Sales
HP Inc (Poly)
04.2015 - 05.2024
- Led and managed a team of 8 Channel Account Managers (CAMs), providing day-to-day leadership, coaching, and performance management to drive sales execution and channel growth.
- Supported indirect report of 60 CAM’s, marketing leads, and solution engineers.
- Created & Executed GTM for an Integrated Poly’s (NSP) channel into HP, ensuring operational alignment and channel performance. (CDW, Insight, SHI, Connection, Zones, Staples, NWN Carousel, Pomeroy, CDW Canada, SHI Canada, and Insight Canada)
- Repositioned and implemented the NSP channel go-to-market (GTM) strategy for HP Hybrid Work Solutions, driving adoption, sales growth, and market penetration.
- Developed and executed AI-driven campaigns to accelerate attach rates, increasing profitable revenue growth in headset-to-PC sales.
N4 Founder / Principal Consultant
Navakas Advisory Services LLC
06.2022 - 04.2024
- Provided strategic guidance to Global 100 consultancies and Fortune 1000 technology manufacturers on go-to-market (GTM) strategies, channel programs, marketing and sales organization development.
- Developed and implemented channel enablement frameworks, incentive programs, and market penetration strategies to enhance partner engagement and revenue growth.
- Conducted operational analyses and delivered actionable recommendations to improve execution efficiency and scalability.
- Supported sales teams in optimizing channel strategies and incentive structures to drive performance and growth.
- Identified new market opportunities and designed data-driven strategies to expand market presence and revenue streams.
Sr Manager - National Channel Sales
InFocus Inc
Portland, OR
03.2013 - 03.2015
- Expand educational footprint in the flat panel and video conferencing and voice solutions segment in addition to growing the projector solutions segment. Grew revenues 20% to 30% overall portfolio.
National Manager, DMR & Distribution
Crestron Inc
Arlington Heights, IL
08.2010 - 11.2011
- Established distribution and DMR channel relationships to ground Crestron in the DMR and distribution channels. Expanded revenues from $500k to over $2M in initial stages of development.
Product Manager of Visual Solutions
CDW Inc
Vernon Hills, IL
04.2001 - 07.2010
- Exceeded goals for CDW Visual Solutions by 8% for digital signage, classroom solutions, display solutions, projector solutions with all key manufacturer partners while integrating room control solutions into the strategic offers. Managed and exceeded goals in an over $200M portfolio. Was promoted into this role.
Penn Mutual / Horner Townsend and Kent
01.1999 - 04.2001
- Achieved financial licensing as a registered representative and built a $5M book of business under management
Education
Bachelors of the Arts - Marketing, Finance and Theater
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL10.1999
Master of Business Administration - Management and International Business
American Intercontinental University
03.2012
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Culture transformation
- Team management
- Policy development
- Team building and motivation
- Organizational development
- Data analytics
Publications
- The Channel’s Algorithmic Ascent: A Chronicle of Sales Transformation
- The Visionary Pragmatist: Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Execution
- The Channel Forecast – The Data Driven Connection
Board Member / Advisory Roles
- 5/2024 – N4 Founder / Owner –Navakas Advisory Services LLC Accomplishments: Provided strategic advisory services to global consultancies and technology Manufacturers as a channel expert, guiding top voice solution manufacturers in optimizing go-to-market (GTM) strategies, channel program design, and sales scaling efforts within the UCaaS and ITSP markets. Delivered insights on channel partner enablement, incentive structures, and market penetration tactics to improve partner engagement and revenue growth.
- 5/2024 – N4 Founder / Owner – MotorElation Media / motorelation.com Accomplishments: 100,000 impressions, $10k in velocity sales per month, 100 subscribers YouTube, Partnered with top MotorSports Media Radio and TV Personalities
- Jan 2005 to Dec 2010 Board Member and Business Advisor, Central Professional Medical Group, Joliet, IL Accomplishments: Scaled operations to meet elevated levels of demand, from $2M to $8M in organizational revenue. Reduced costs through digital moderation and automation of technology that drives operational processes. Negotiated and sold organization at 3X market post restructuring.
- 4/2002 – 1/2017 Emeritus Chair, and Co-Founder Idlemuse Theatre Company Inc. Evanston, IL Accomplishments: Created the concept and turned it into an operational Theater company that has produced, managed and performed over 250 theatrical productions.
- 6/1996 – 7/2001 Founder / Owner GGN / GGN Enterprises Inc Accomplishments: $500k+ in Revenue Annually, Sold Organization $500k - $1M
Timeline
N4 Founder / Principal Consultant
Navakas Advisory Services LLC
06.2022 - 04.2024
Head of North America DMR Channels – Sr Director
DTEN Inc
02.2022 - Current
Director of NA Channels, Strategy & Sales
HP Inc (Poly)
04.2015 - 05.2024
Sr Manager - National Channel Sales
InFocus Inc
03.2013 - 03.2015
National Manager, DMR & Distribution
Crestron Inc
08.2010 - 11.2011
Product Manager of Visual Solutions
CDW Inc
04.2001 - 07.2010
Penn Mutual / Horner Townsend and Kent
01.1999 - 04.2001
Master of Business Administration - Management and International Business
American Intercontinental University
Bachelors of the Arts - Marketing, Finance and Theater
Lake Forest College