Recent News & Press Coverage
Stay informed with official news and updates from The ASCII Group. This section features company announcements, strategic initiatives, and industry coverage that reflect our continued commitment to the MSP community and the broader IT channel.
The ASCII Group Appoints Ted Roller as Chief Community Officer
Washington, D.C.– January 14, 2026 – The ASCII Group, North America’s original and vendor-neutral community for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), is pleased to announce the appointment of Ted Roller as Chief Community Officer, a newly created executive role focused on strengthening member engagement and expanding ASCII’s community across the United States and Canada.
In this role, Roller will lead initiatives designed to deepen member connection and engagement, working closely with MSPs to help shape the future of the ASCII community. His focus will be on ensuring ASCII continues to reflect the real-world needs of MSP business owners and remains a trusted resource for peer insight and collaboration.
Roller brings more than 25 years of experience in the IT channel, with a career spanning MSP ownership and senior channel leadership roles. Earlier in his career, he owned and operated an MSP that was recognized locally as one of the Fast 50 fastest-growing companies, providing firsthand experience with the operational and strategic realities MSPs face.
He has since held senior channel leadership positions at LogMeIn, Intronis, Mailprotector, CloudRadial, Zomentum, and FlexPoint, where he helped build partner programs, strengthen community engagement, and support growth through indirect sales models. In addition, Roller has contributed to industry education as faculty for CompTIA and has been recognized by organizations including MSPmentor, The Channel Company, and SMB Nation.
“Ted’s background as both an MSP owner and a channel executive makes him uniquely qualified to lead our community efforts,” said Jerry Koutavas, CEO of The ASCII Group. “His role will be instrumental in strengthening member engagement and expanding ASCII’s reach as we continue to support MSPs across North America.”
“ASCII has always represented something different in this industry,” said Roller. “It is a community built on trust, openness, and shared experience. I’m honored to join the team and look forward to helping shape the next chapter of member engagement and community leadership.”
About The ASCII Group, Inc.
The ASCII Group is the premier community of North American MSPs, MSSPs and Solution Providers. The Group has members located throughout the U.S. and Canada, and membership encompasses everyone from credentialed MSPs serving the SMB community to multi-location solution providers with a national and international reach. Founded in 1984, ASCII provides services to members including leveraged purchasing programs, education and training, marketing assistance, extensive peer interaction and more. ASCII works with a vibrant ecosystem of leading and major technology vendors that complement the ASCII community and support the mission of helping MSPs to grow their businesses. For more information, please visit www.ascii.com.
Press Contact
Jessica Turner
Senior Digital Engagement Manager
Tel: 800-394-2724
Email: jturner@ascii.com
Web: www.ascii.com
ASCII Resident Expert Article: The Difference Between Average and Top Performers, Channel Insider, March 10, 2001, by Ken Thorsen
Everyone has good ideas, but execution is the key differentiator in success. Is your team primed to execute?
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/The-Difference-Between-Average-and-Top-Performers-280491/
It's All in The Name: ASCII SMB IT Success Summit, Business Solutions Magazine, March 10, 2011, by Gennifer Biggs
Find out how ASCII is helping VARs and MSPs succeed in their everyday business with our Success Summits.
Read more….
http://bsminfo.com/article.mvc/Its-All-In-The-Name-ASCII-Success-Summits-0001
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Why You Lose Your Customers, Channel Insider, March 3, 2001, by John Hlavac
Are you making every interaction with your customers count? Here’s how to shape your customer service and make the last lost customer the final one.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Why-You-Lose-Your-Customers-301233/
The Cloud The Cloud- A Veritable Banquet for VARs
Marketstar Channel Insights, March 2011, by Phil Mickey
The cloud doesn’t have to be a scary thing for VARs and MSPs. Phil explains how the VARs and MSPs can have the cloud work for them instead of against them.
Read more….
http://www.marketstar.com/blog/var-channel/the-cloud-a-veritable-banquet-for-vars/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d6fda72ebdda4e6{cd933a35b4dea5d347db3c1b94e2678db2fa666034d5c43bfb6d103821efc580}2C0#.TwZhOfmkeSp
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Are You a Security Threat to Your Clients?, Channel Insider, February 24, 2011, by Mike Semel
You protect your clients from outside threats, but are you ignoring one of the biggest security holes that threatens client businesses? Plug those holes before it is too late.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Are-You-A-Security-Threat-to-Your-Clients-381136/
ASCII Success Summit Engages VARs and Vendors; Drives Success for All
Channelpro, February 24, 2011, by Michael Siggins
Channelpro explains why ASCII Success Summits are so important to the VARs and MSPs. Read more….
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Top Five Financial Issues VARs Overlook, Channel Insider, February 17, 2011, by Larry Schulze
How well do you know your financials? It is more than just knowing how much profit you make. Here is a look at the top five things VARs overlook. Find out if your are stumbling over one of these on your road to success.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Top-Five-Financial-Issues-VARs-Overlook-404660/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: Ready to Win: Pumping Your Sales Team for the Recovery, Channel Insider, February 10, 2011, by Ken Thoreson
The Recovery is here, but are you ready for it? Is your sales team pumped to win? Here is what you should be doing right now to find and convert those opportunities.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/Ready-to-Win-Pumping-Your-Sales-Team-for-the-Recovery-576907/
ASCII Resident Expert Article: How to Focus Your Way to Success
Do you set goals for your business every year, but find yourself seldom able to reach them? Here is how successful MSPs reach their goals and grow predictably.
Read More….
http://www.channelinsider.com/c/a/Commentary/How-to-Focus-Your-Way-to-Success-446808/
Want to Stay in the Know?
Sign up to receive the latest ASCII news, announcements, and industry coverage.
.svg)
