For more than two decades, Rob Rae has been one of the IT channel’s most visible champions of MSPs, building communities, mentoring leaders and helping partners navigate everything from the rise of managed services to today’s AI-driven transformation.
In this Q&A, the corporate vice president of community and ecosystems at Pax8, and vice chair of the GTIA board of directors, reflects on the career experiences that shaped his passion for empowering MSPs, shares why he believes independent, industry-wide collaboration is more important than ever and explains how insights gathered from thousands of partners around the world help inform his vision for the future of the channel. Along the way, Rae offers a reminder that the industry’s greatest strength has always been its people and the communities that bring them together.
You have established a distinguished career in the IT channel, holding leadership positions at Datto, Level Platforms and currently at Pax8. Could you please outline the significant milestones of your professional journey and share the experiences that have influenced your dedication to empowering MSPs?
I've been fortunate to spend more than two decades working exclusively with MSPs, and every chapter of my career has reinforced the same belief: MSPs are among the most important businesses in technology because they enable millions of SMBs to compete and thrive.
At Level Platforms, I saw the managed services model begin to transform the IT industry. At Datto, I had the opportunity to help build one of the strongest MSP communities in the world and witnessed firsthand how collaboration between partners accelerates everyone's success. Today at Pax8, my focus is helping partners navigate what's next—from cloud to cybersecurity to AI—while continuing to build a global community where MSPs can learn from one another. Technology continues to change dramatically, and as a result, the value of the MSP has grown exponentially, which means that MSP's and the vendors that serve them have as well
As a GTIA board member, what goals are you most passionate about advancing?
I'm passionate about ensuring GTIA remains the independent voice that represents the entire managed services industry. That means helping members prepare for the future, like today for example with AI.
You have served on various boards during your professional career, including GTIA, and have held strategic advisory board roles with Cork, Guardz, and Rev.io. Additionally, you have long been recognized as a prominent advocate for MSPs. What motivates you to contribute your time, voice, and expertise to organizations such as GTIA?
I've always believed that when our industry succeeds, everyone succeeds. Give and thou shall receive. I've benefited enormously from mentors, peers and communities throughout my career, so serving on boards is an opportunity to give back. Every organization I work with is ultimately focused on helping MSPs become stronger businesses. GTIA specifically occupies a unique position because it doesn't represent a single vendor—it represents the industry. That independence allows it to bring together vendors, marketplaces, distributors and MSPs to solve challenges that no single company could solve alone.
Pax8 has positioned you at the center of community building, partner enablement and global ecosystem development. How does your work at Pax8 inform the perspective you bring to GTIA's mission?
One of the greatest advantages of my role at Pax8 is the opportunity to spend time with thousands of MSPs across the globe every year. Regardless of geography, they're often facing remarkably similar challenges—finding talent, managing security, adopting AI responsibly, improving profitability and delivering more value to customers.
That gives me a broad perspective on where the industry is heading and what partners need most. It has also reinforced my belief that community is one of the most powerful accelerators of business success. When we all openly share ideas, best practices and lessons learned, everyone benefits. That philosophy aligns perfectly with GTIA's mission of bringing the industry together to advance the profession.
What's one fun fact most people might not know about you?
People know me from conference stages and industry events, but when I'm home, I'm happiest doing something much simpler. I love puttering around my antique home, spending time in my garden, with my chickens, cooking, the simple things. There's something satisfying about slowing down after a busy travel schedule, making dinner and enjoying the evening with people you care about. It's a great reminder that while technology moves incredibly fast, the best connections are still the human ones.
Meet the GTIA Board of Directors! Read the blog series.
