Investment will unlock further growth, enhancing Thrive’s position as an industry-leading NextGen MSP/MSSP
Foxborough, Ma. – January 14, 2025 – Thrive (“the Company”), a provider of cybersecurity, cloud, and IT managed services, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for a strategic investment from Berkshire Partners (“Berkshire”) and existing investor Court Square Capital Partners (“Court Square”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Thrive is an IT managed services provider (“MSP”) and managed security services provider (“MSSP”) that offers outsourced IT and cybersecurity services to mid-market, small enterprise, and sophisticated SMB clientele across a number of industries including financial services, healthcare, professional services, and government. With 15 acquisitions since 2020, Thrive has grown into one of the leading global technology outsourcing firms and in 2024 was again named to CRN’s Managed Service Provider 500 list, which recognizes the top technology providers and consultants in the MSP space.
“Over the past decade, we’ve built a market-leading company with a wide array of technology capabilities. With the new strategic investment from Berkshire and Court Square, we will continue scaling to meet the complex needs of the industries we serve,” said Bill McLaughlin, President of Thrive. “We are excited to partner with two firms that understand our business and mission of enabling our customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation to deliver exceptional technology returns on investment.”
“Thrive’s impressive leadership team has built a remarkable organization, and we are thrilled to begin our partnership alongside Court Square,” said Candice Corvetti, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners. “The complexity of the IT and cybersecurity challenges that companies face today have never been greater,” added Marcus Dodyk, Principal at Berkshire Partners. “These tailwinds and the need for effective IT and cybersecurity services will continue to create opportunities for exceptional, customer-first MSP/MSSPs like Thrive.”
“We believe in the continued success of Thrive, which has executed against its growth objectives as the Company continues to scale both organically and inorganically,” said Matt Dennett, Partner at Court Square. “Our additional investment underscores our belief in the Company,” added Jeff Vogel, Managing Partner at Court Square. “We are thrilled to continue working with Thrive’s exceptional management team and partner with Berkshire, who brings a wealth of IT investing experience and expertise.”
“At each investor stage through Thrive’s evolution we’ve more than tripled the scale and capabilities of the Company. This is a truly world class company and management team that is positioned to do the same in the next chapter,” finished Rob Stephenson, CEO of Thrive.
Debt financing for the transaction is being provided by a group of lenders, agented by Alliance Bernstein. Lazard and Moelis acted as financial advisors to Thrive. Guggenheim served as a financial advisor to Berkshire Partners.
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About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering outsized technology returns on investment (ROI). The Company accomplishes this by offering advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow Thrive on LinkedIn.
About Berkshire Partners
Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee-owned, multi-sector specialist investor in private and public equity. The firm’s private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across business & consumer services, healthcare, industrials, and technology & communications. Berkshire is currently investing from its Fund XI, which held its final closing in 2024 with approximately $7.8 billion in commitments. Since inception, Berkshire Partners has made more than 150 private equity investments and has a strong history of collaborating with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. The firm’s public equity group, Stockbridge, founded in 2007, manages a concentrated portfolio seeking attractive long-term investments. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.
About Court Square
Court Square is a middle market private equity firm with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. Since 1979, Court Square has completed over 245 platform investments and is focused on helping Founders, Families, and Manager-owners to develop their companies into leaders in their respective markets. Court Square invests in companies that have compelling growth potential in the industrial, business services, healthcare, and tech and telecom sectors. As of June 2024, Court Square has $8.9 billion in assets under management and is based in New York, N.Y. For more information on Court Square, please visit www.courtsquare.com.
Media Contacts:
Thrive
Amanda Maguire
Berkshire Partners
Greg Winter
Court Square
Max Rayden
L&Q Transforms Connectivity Across Housing Portfolio with Thrive’s Scalable 4G/5G Solution Download Now
L&Q, one of the largest housing associations in the UK, partnered with Thrive to enhance network reliability and scalability across their extensive portfolio of over 105,000 homes. Thrive’s tailored solution seamlessly integrated with L&Q’s existing Meraki infrastructure, enabling faster deployment, cost savings, and improved connectivity for residents and staff.
L&Q is a leading housing association in the UK, owning and managing over 105,000 homes that house approximately 250,000 residents. To support its mission of delivering high-quality housing and infrastructure services, L&Q required a robust and scalable connectivity solution. Thrive provided an innovative 4G/5G solution that addressed the challenges of managing geographically dispersed properties, ensuring consistent and reliable network access across all sites.
Why Thrive Was Chosen
Managing a broad portfolio of properties across remote locations presented L&Q with connectivity challenges. They sought to standardise their network infrastructure while enhancing operational efficiency and delivering seamless connectivity across all sites.
L&Q needed a solution that integrated seamlessly with their existing Meraki infrastructure to minimise disruption and ensure compatibility. The ideal solution had to be scalable, reliable, and efficient without requiring a complete overhaul of their current setup.
L&Q selected Thrive due to its proven track record and existing partnership. Thrive’s team demonstrated deep knowledge of L&Q’s infrastructure and delivered tailored solutions aligned with their operational needs. “Thrive’s expertise and familiarity with our systems made them the natural choice for this project,” said an L&Q representative.
Strategic Deployment
Thrive implemented Meraki MG21 and MG41 mobile gateways to deliver robust 4G/5G connectivity across L&Q’s dispersed portfolio. The gateways were chosen for their compatibility with L&Q’s existing Meraki infrastructure, ensuring minimal disruption during deployment.
Thrive supported procurement, provided initial setup guidance, and ensured the solution met L&Q’s requirements. While L&Q’s in-house team carried out physical installations, Thrive’s technical expertise facilitated a smooth and efficient rollout.
During implementation, Thrive identified connectivity “dead zones” and worked with L&Q to optimise device placement, overcoming limitations caused by weak cellular coverage. They also helped L&Q navigate building regulations and mounting challenges to ensure proper gateway installation.
Thrive’s Impact
Thrive’s solution addresses the housing sector’s challenges of managing geographically dispersed properties. Thrive supports L&Q’s mission of delivering consistent and reliable services to residents by providing scalable connectivity that integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
In the housing sector, where connectivity is vital for efficient operations, Thrive’s expertise in network infrastructure and its ability to provide tailored solutions make it an invaluable partner for large housing associations. Thrive’s solution has significantly improved connectivity across L&Q’s remote offices. Deploying network infrastructure quickly without requiring extensive fiber installations has minimised delays in bringing new sites online. The transition to a 4G/5G solution reduced the need for expensive leased lines, delivering considerable cost savings. Thrive’s scalable solution allows L&Q to adapt to evolving connectivity needs, ensuring long-term operational efficiency.
“The scalability and reliability Thrive delivers allow us to focus on our mission while knowing our infrastructure is in capable hands,” said an L&Q representative. “Their ability to understand our unique challenges has been instrumental in the success of this project.”
“Thrive’s expertise has been critical in enhancing our network capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity for residents and staff while reducing costs and improving efficiency.” ~ L&Q Representative
About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Thrive Spotlight: Rose Payano – Director, Project DeliveryWelcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.
Our featured employee is Rose Payano, Director, Project Delivery. In Rose’s position as a Director within the PMO team, she plays a critical role leading Managers on the Project Delivery team and their respective Project Managers. Rose believes in empowering teams to excel, encouraging innovative thinking, and sharing knowledge that elevates everyone’s skills. She actively contributes to team-wide initiative and collaborates cross functionally to enhance our operational processes. She also oversees a select number of projects, stepping in whenever necessary to assist the team whenever possible.
Rose lives in the Sunshine State and is based out of Miami, FL. Outside of work, Rose enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her fiancé, Charlie. She also enjoys being with family, finding new places to eat and new places to explore. Rose recently started traveling, which she really enjoys as a new hobby.
Hi Rose! Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?
I joined Thrive five and a half years ago, crazy to think it’s been almost six years now. I initially started in the procurement team based out of the NY office. Around a year and a half later I then transitioned to the PMO and have since dedicated myself to this field. Project Management and process improvement is what I am most passionate about.
Where did you go to school or get training?
After serving four years in the Marine Corps, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Security in college where I grew my passion for IT. I started at a helpdesk in Michigan, and I progressed to become a Team Lead Manager with an average of 20 direct reports.
What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?
I find fulfillment in contributing to internal projects, collaborating with colleagues, and championing transformative initiatives. It’s been inspiring to witness Thrive’s remarkable growth over the years. I cherish the people the most – their dedication, collaborative spirit, and hard work truly make Thrive a special place.
Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?
Recently, I have been focused on developing a comprehensive training program for new hires within the PMO, alongside developing and continuously revising Thrive’s master project plan for our teams use. It has been incredibly rewarding to train and empower our new team members for success, while also ensuring our Project Managers are well-equipped for their roles.
“My time at Thrive has been incredibly transformative, playing a pivotal role in my professional growth. I have a genuine appreciation for the collaboration and camaraderie among colleagues, and it’s inspiring to witness the company’s remarkable journey of growth and evolution.”
Are you interested in learning more about Thrive? Click here!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news, and continue checking our blog for more in our “Thrive Employee Spotlight” series. Until next time…
How to Increase Your Cyber Resilience – and Customer TrustCybersecurity incidents do not always have these dire consequences, but they can erode customer confidence in an organization’s ability to serve them and protect their sensitive information. Organizations across industries must ensure they take the proper steps to prepare, mitigate and quickly recover from a cyberattack as it is no longer a matter of if one will happen – but a matter of when.
Thrive Spotlight: Nicholas Vizzini – Technical AdvisorWelcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.
Our featured employee is Nicholas Vizzini, Technical Advisor. Nicholas plays a key role in supporting his team by providing strategic solutions and ensuring the Advisory Team is equipped with the necessary technical training, product knowledge, and compliance updates. He also collaborates with vCIOs to assist with Technical Business Reviews, helping to drive success for our clients.
Nicholas lives in New York, NY, and works out of our Lexington Avenue office in New York City. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and going for bike rides.
Hi Nicholas! Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?
I began my career working at S7 Technology Group, where I worked for three years before the company was acquired by Thrive. Since joining Thrive, I’ve held roles as a TSE, SE, SA, and now Technical Advisor. This October will mark four years with Thrive.
Where did you go to school or get training?
I earned my bachelor’s degree in computer systems Networking and Telecommunications from Farmingdale State College, with a focus on Computer Networking and Systems Management.
What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?
I enjoy solving complex problems and watching our team grow. We play a significant role in Thrive’s success and, most importantly, in the success of our clients.
Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?
Over the past year, we successfully migrated several of our clients from their legacy NetApp DaaS environment to our ThriveCloud solution. This rewarding project was challenging but we were able to collaborate with several departments to complete the projects on time.
Are you interested in learning more about Thrive? Click here!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news, and continue checking our blog for more in our “Thrive Employee Spotlight” series. Until next time…
Thrive Opens New Data Center in MontrealLeading global MSP/MSSP expands data center locations, empowering customers to better safeguard their critical data
Boston, MA, November 26, 2024 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced it will be opening a Montreal-based SOC 2 certified data center to support its private Cloud offering. With this new opening, Thrive continues to expand its data center locations, enabling customers throughout Canada to better secure and protect their data.
Data breaches continue to be on the rise. In fact, according to the Identify Theft Resource Center, the number of data compromises reported in the first half of 2024 increased 14% compared to the same period in 2023. With potential threats always looming, organizations must ensure their data, and their customers’ data, are properly housed, managed, and secured. With the addition of the data center in Montreal, Thrive adds to their list of enterprise-class data center locations to ensure all Canadian customers have access to secure and reliable Cloud infrastructure to store their most valuable data.
As is the case with all Thrive’s data center locations, customers will gain a range of benefits, including:
- Security: Thrive’s data centers utilize best practices in on-site physical security, including biometric access controls, perimeter monitoring, and 24×7 staffing, along with cutting-edge digital security measures.
- Reliability: Thrive’s purpose-built data center facilities deliver maximum reliability and connectivity for mission-critical infrastructure that powers organizations.
- Scalability: No matter the specific needs of an organization, Thrive can provide the data center flexibility and capacity to handle future growth.
- Emergency Backup: Thrive’s data centers offer fully redundant power, networking, and environmental systems, ensuring that each facility is available when needed most. Paired with best-of-breed replication and recovery technology platforms, Thrive can help protect critical systems and data from loss in the event of an emergency.
“Many organizations today are facing the daunting task of protecting and storing their critical data amidst an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape – and it is more important than ever to ensure data is housed properly,” said Scott Steele, Chief Operating Officer, Thrive. “Thrive’s customers in Canada will have access to not just a data center, but a sustainable private Cloud infrastructure solution, positioning their business for secure, scalable growth well into the future.”
Along with its private Cloud offering, Thrive offers an array of services, customized to each organization’s business needs. To keep pace with the evolving landscape, Thrive continues to grow their services, from managed detection and response to incident response & remediation.
To learn more about Thrive, visit the website.
About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Contacts
Amanda Maguire
Thrive Appoints Kristina O’Connell as Chief Marketing Officer
Leading Global MSSP Touts Latest Executive Appointment as it Continues to Grow
Boston, MA, November 20, 2024 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today named Kristina O’Connell as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With experience spanning new and growing industries, including SaaS, AI, and wireless charging, O’Connell will guide Thrive’s corporate marketing and brand building initiatives as the company continues to experience a rapid period of growth.
With over three decades of experience leading marketing teams in the technology industry, O’Connell brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and expertise in brand development, creative innovation, and marketing strategy. Before joining Thrive in October 2023, she led marketing at WiTricity, where she helped build and develop the market for electric vehicle wireless charging (B2B2C) from an MIT spin-out to commercialization. O’Connell served ExaGrid for a decade, defining brand and creative strategy in the Tiered Backup Storage enterprise market. At F5 Networks, she led the company’s worldwide marketing and was instrumental in helping F5 pioneer the load-balancing market from startup through IPO to #1 in global market share.
“When you hear customers saying that they’re seeing Thrive everywhere, you know your marketing team is doing something right – and that has been normal feedback we’ve heard since Kristina joined us,” said Rob Stephenson, CEO of Thrive. “Kristina’s deep understanding of not only our offerings but the cybersecurity and technology industries at large are invaluable when it comes to communicating what Thrive brings to the table. As CMO, I know she will strategically communicate our vision to the broader market and take Thrive to new heights as we innovate and expand.”
As Thrive continues to provide new services to customers and increase its geographical footprint through acquisition, O’Connell’s guidance in ensuring brand visibility and consistency across regions, growing the company’s thought leadership, influence, and raising Thrive’s overall profile amongst prospects, media, and other stakeholders will be critical. Her vast experience across technology domains, including networking, storage, enterprise software, SaaS, and AI-powered software, will help elevate Thrive’s services and key messages to new audiences.
O’Connell’s appointment comes amidst an exciting period of growth for Thrive. The company recently acquired Safety Net – its eleventh acquisition in just two years. The company also appointed Scott Steele as Chief Operating Officer in June 2024.
“When I came to Thrive, I was incredibly impressed by Thrive’s team, NextGen platform of services, the business problems we were solving for our clients, and the possibilities when it came to innovating for the future,” said O’Connell. “I look forward to working with the rest of our executive team to continue to amplify our brand, influence, culture, and excitement for how we do business. Thrive is changing the game with outsourced technology.”
If you’re interested in learning more about open positions at Thrive, visit the careers page.
About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Contacts
Amanda Maguire
Thrive Becomes Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Body
Leading Global MSSP to Help UK Companies Better Protect Themselves from Cyber Threats
Boston, MA, November 19, 2024 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced that is has become a Cyber Essentials (CE) and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) certification body. The company can now audit for accreditation and compliance with the Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises (IASME) Cyber Essentials control framework.
According to a government report issued earlier this year, half of businesses (50%) and around a third of charities (32%) in the UK report having experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. To mitigate these threats and ensure organisations have the proper safeguards in place, the IASME requires most public sector institutions that touch government, healthcare, and social housing, as well as many small and medium businesses (SMBs), to be CE or CE+ compliant in order to be eligible to bid for contracts. CE is a government-backed, industry-supported self-assessment that organisations can utilise to protect themselves against common cyber threats and gain certified compliance with best practices. Aligning with this standard helps organisations position themselves to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their information systems and data assets.
As a certification body, Thrive can now work with UK organisations to help them achieve compliance with the CE or CE+ framework. The normal CE certification requires a self-certified questionnaire, submitted online to the IASME. Upon successful completion, Thrive will issue the CE certification. Thrive also provides Readiness Assessments for SMBs seeking CE+ accreditation. This includes a gap analysis report and roadmap to address both CE and CE+ certification requirements, enabling an organisation to also pursue the CE+ certification once the CE Questionnaire is completed. The Readiness Assessment will focus on the CE Questionnaire along with technical controls for firewalls, secure configuration, security update management, user access control, and malware protection. As part of the CE+ certification, a Thrive certified CE+ Assessor will carry out the required audit on the systems that are in-scope for CE, including a representative set of user devices, all internet gateways, and all servers with services accessible to unauthenticated internet users.
“From phishing to malware, we’re seeing an increase in threats of every kind, and too often the organisations that are most susceptible to these threats are small and medium businesses or those working in the public sphere,” said Michael Gray, Chief Technology Officer at Thrive. “Becoming CE certified allows organisations to take essential steps in understanding and improving their cybersecurity posture. Thrive is proud to be a partner in helping businesses on their accreditation journey and providing them with the guidance needed to not only better protect themselves but set them up for long-term success.”
In addition to CE and CE+ certifications, Thrive offers and array of services and offerings to help organisations of all sizes better protect themselves. From managed detection and response to autonomous penetration testing and cloud services, UK enterprises can trust that Thrive has the team, solutions, and experience to bolster digital transformation and cybersecurity efforts, regardless of sector or size.
To learn more about Thrive’s offerings, visit the website.
About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Contacts
Amanda Maguire
Florida Southern College Modernizes IT and Achieves Compliance with Thrive Download Now
Florida Southern College, a small private institution, overhauled its IT infrastructure and fortified its security by partnering with Thrive. Through Thrive’s Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) and Data Protection as a Service (DPaaS), featuring immutable backups, the college was able to meet regulatory standards, enhance infrastructure reliability, and protect critical data. This partnership has driven continuous IT improvements, successfully attaining the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and FERPA compliance.
Florida Southern College, facing the unique challenge of modernizing its IT infrastructure and meeting strict regulatory requirements with limited resources, initially relied on DSM for disaster recovery and data protection services. After Thrive acquired DSM, the partnership focused on risk assessments and proactive IT improvements, helping the college enhance security, achieve GLBA and FERPA compliance, and strengthen its digital capabilities.
Why Thrive Was Chosen
Florida Southern initially engaged Thrive to handle specific IT projects, such as migrating student emails to the Cloud, due to the college’s limited internal resources and small internal IT team. As Florida Southern’s needs evolved, Thrive’s expertise and hands-on support made them a key partner in tackling more considerable challenges like network security and compliance.
Florida Southern College Chief Information Officer Francine Neiling recognized the need for continuous risk assessments to identify and remediate IT vulnerabilities. Neiling prioritized Thrive’s risk assessments, which provided detailed insights into potential gaps and risks. These assessments allowed Florida Southern to allocate resources strategically and drive improvements while adhering to their budget constraints.
“Thrive’s assessments were critical in helping us understand our IT gaps and prioritize projects based on risk, all while staying within our budget. While other vendors delivered the basics, Thrive followed up with solutions and guidance to ensure everything worked seamlessly across our systems,” said Neiling.
Strategic Deployment of Advanced Security Measures
Thrive has become Florida Southern College’s primary partner for security and compliance, helping implement key regulations like GLBA and FERPA. They have been instrumental in deploying multi-factor authentication, improving data loss prevention, and securing student information. Thrive also provides regular network assessments and annual penetration tests to maintain compliance and security.
Thrive provided Florida Southern with a fully managed on-premise Cloud infrastructure, delivering scalable DRaaS and DPaaS with immutable backups. This flexible infrastructure met both operational and regulatory needs while continuously improving security and disaster recovery.
“Thrive’s on-premise Cloud infrastructure gave us the flexibility to meet our specific IT needs, while their immutable backups and orchestrated offsite recovery provided peace of mind, knowing our data was secure and recoverable,” said Neiling.
Thrive’s Impact
With Thrive’s continued support, Florida Southern College has significantly improved its network stability and security. By streamlining its network infrastructure, the college resolved issues caused by multiple vendors’ equipment that had previously led to campus-wide outages. Thrive’s guidance has also helped the college maintain regulatory compliance, saving time and money while allowing its small IT team to focus on daily operations.
In its 2024 audit, the college received only two minor findings, demonstrating the enhanced security posture and infrastructure resilience.
“Since partnering with Thrive, our security has improved dramatically. What would have taken us years to accomplish on our own was completed efficiently with their hands-on support. They’ve truly become an extension of our IT team,” said Neiling.
“Thrive has consistently gone above and beyond, offering the kind of hands-on support that makes a real difference. Without their expertise and dedication, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” ~ Francine Neiling, CIO, Florida Southern College
About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Thrive Spotlight: Catie Kueppers – vCIOWelcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.
Our featured employee is Catie Kueppers, newly promoted to vCIO. Catie, former Thrive System Administrator, oversaw the Mid 3 POD and was an acting Senior System Administrator for the Texas 01 POD. She is mostly involved with Microsoft Azure and various Windows networks.
Catie lives in Palm Bay, Florida but is based out of the Maryland office since that is where Ease Technologies was located prior to being acquired by Thrive. Outside of work, she loves going boating and exploring different islands around Sebastian Inlet with her husband who is a Veteran and 4 kids, 2 sons and 2 daughters.
Hi Catie! Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?
I have been working within the IT industry for over 25 years. I started in 1997, purchasing electronic components in bulk for computers and reselling them to electronics brokers. Within this position, I was able to gain customer service experience and started working the Help Desk at Lance Inc. in 1998. Since, I have worked for larger companies like IBM, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Computers Sciences Corporation, Cessna Aircraft, and Bell Helicopter. I worked my way up to various titles of Network Administrator in various areas of technology.
After working for such large companies, I wanted something smaller and more personal. I landed at Ease Technologies in 2013 which then got acquired by Thrive in 2019. Although Thrive is a much larger company, it still has a personal feel, while still getting to work with some of the same people from before we were acquired.
Where did you go to school or get training?
I have been a certified Microsoft Azure Administrator for 2 years as well as other Microsoft certifications. I also attended Kaplan University for a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management.
What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?
I enjoy engaging with different people and teams every day. Also, our customers, they keep me busy and challenged. Thrive also offers a lot of learning opportunities which I love.
Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?
I am in the process of transitioning into my newly promoted role as vCIO, and I look forward to embracing the learning opportunities and challenges that come with this position.
Are you interested in learning more about Thrive? Click here!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news, and continue checking our blog for more in our “Thrive Employee Spotlight” series. Until next time…