Robert A Fries

Hampstead,NC

Summary

My success is always measured by the success I help my customers and colleagues achieve. Strategic Customer Success Sales Executive and Enterprise Account Leader with 15+ years of experience driving customer growth, retention, and business outcomes for Fortune 500 organizations. Proven success managing strategic enterprise relationships representing more than $300M in annual revenue at NetApp while serving as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders across Financial Services, Healthcare, Service Provider and Telco verticals. Experienced in developing customer success strategies, expanding enterprise relationships, leading global service delivery initiatives, and aligning technology solutions with business objectives. Recognized for combining deep technical expertise across cloud, storage, virtualization, and managed services with strong executive presence, consultative selling skills, and a customer-first leadership approach. Entrepreneurial leader with experience building and scaling a technology services company to $15M in revenue, achieving consistent revenue growth year-after-year while managing sales, solution architecture, and support organizations. Recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Customer Success Manager, Strategic Accounts

NetApp, Inc.

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

05.2011 - 07.2026

Strategic Customer Success leader responsible for executive relationship management, customer retention, global service delivery excellence, and growth initiatives across NetApps top 10 strategic enterprise accounts. Managed relationships supporting more than $300M in annual revenue, partnering with Fortune 500 customers to maximize business value, improve operational outcomes, and drive long-term technology adoption.
Served as a trusted executive advisor to customer leadership teams, sales organizations, engineering teams, and professional services organizations. Led global customer engagements focused on operational excellence, risk mitigation, technology strategy, and continuous improvement.
Key Achievements:
Supported and protected a portfolio representing $300M+ in annual revenue through strategic account management, customer advocacy, and executive relationship development.
Built trusted partnerships with C-level executives and senior technology leaders, improving customer alignment, satisfaction, and long-term retention.
Directed global cross-functional teams spanning Sales, Support, Engineering, Professional Services, and Product organizations to resolve complex customer challenges and deliver business outcomes.
Led Executive Business Reviews (QBRs), customer success planning sessions, and strategic roadmap discussions to align NetApp solutions with enterprise business objectives.
Managed professional services engagements and customer retainers, ensuring successful delivery, adoption, and measurable customer value.
Partnered with account teams to identify expansion opportunities, influence solution strategies, and support revenue growth initiatives.
Provided leadership in customer risk assessments, escalation management, and service improvement programs.
Recognized with the NetApp Eagle Award for outstanding customer commitment and business impact.

Founder and CEO

Data.Com RESULTS, Inc.

Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Founded and built an IT consulting and managed services organization specializing in network infrastructure, data storage, systems integration, and enterprise technical support.
Developed the company from startup operations into a successful technology services provider serving enterprise customers through consultative selling, professional services delivery, and long-term managed services partnerships.
Key Achievements:
Grew company revenue to $15M, achieving consistent revenue growth year after year through strategic sales execution and enterprise customer acquisition.
Built and managed a professional services organization of 30+ employees, including Sales, Solution Architects, Engineers, and Support personnel.
Developed and executed multi-year managed services strategies that created recurring revenue streams and strengthened customer retention.
Established executive relationships with enterprise clients by delivering consultative technology solutions aligned with business objectives.
Improved customer loyalty through proactive account management, technical excellence, and operational accountability.
INC 500 Member - Featured in INC Magazine Article

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Business Administration, Management, Accounting & Marketing

Gannon University

Skills

Sales & Business Growth:
Consultative Solution Selling MEDDIC Sales Methodology Revenue Growth Strategies Contract Negotiation Deal Structuring Forecasting Multi-Year Managed Services Solutions
Customer Success & Enterprise Leadership:
Strategic Account Management Executive Relationship Management Customer Retention & Renewals Customer Advocacy Customer Lifecycle Management Executive Business Reviews Strategic Planning
Delivery & Operations:

Global Service Delivery Professional Services Management Managed Services Strategies Cross-Functional Leadership Risk Mitigation Process Improvement Project Management Escalation Management
Core Technologies:
Data Infrastructure Network Architecture Systems Integration Data Management NetApp ONTAP Virtualization Hybrid & Public Cloud Environments STaaS IaaS Artificial intelligence (AI) Cybersecurity

Awards

Recognized with the NetApp Eagle Award for outstanding customer commitment and business impact. Awarded by NetApps Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Americas, INC 500 Member - Featured in INC Magazine Article, Success Magazine - Featured in Article about CEOs that Sell, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, KPMG and the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce Recognition

Timeline