William BJ Jenkins CEO, Barracuda Networks

Barracuda Networks Inc. has appointed William BJ Jenkins as president, CEO, and member of the Board of Directors.

 Jenkins, former president of EMC’s Backup Recovery Systems (BRS) Division and a 16-year IT industry veteran, will lead the company’s strategy and growth as it moves towards IPO.

"Barracuda Networks has a proven customer-centric business model focused on delivering high-value, subscription-based IT solutions," commented Jenkins. "I’ve had the chance to look at many technology companies throughout my career, and recognize what an amazing opportunity we have at Barracuda Networks. The company has an incredible brand and reputation, expansive partner and customer base, and innovative product portfolio that create enormous opportunities as customers look to simplify their IT deployments. I am honored and ecstatic to join the team and build on the company’s successes."

"BJ is a dynamic and engaging leader, and we are thrilled to bring him on board at such an exciting time in our company’s history," said Michael Perone, co-founder, EVP and CMO at Barracuda Networks. "He has an impressive background, having run one of EMC’s highest growth businesses and helped transition EMC from a single product company to one with a portfolio of products and proven success driving innovation and strong revenue growth. We are confident that BJ will be an instrumental part of our company’s success."

Jenkins joined EMC in 1998 and has held a range of EMC senior leadership roles before becoming president of the BRS Division, including serving as chief of staff for the division, where he led the post-merger integration of Data Domain as the foundation for the newly-formed division. Since its formation, the BRS Division has been a major engine behind EMC’s growth and became the Fortune 1000’s top choice for next-generation data protection systems. Over the years, he also held the positions of SVP of Global Marketing; VP of Telecom, Media and Entertainment and Outsourcing Sales; VP of Global Field Marketing and director of operations Global Channels.

He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and received his MBA from the Harvard Business School.

The company commenced its CEO search in July, when former CEO Dean Drako announced his resignation.

In October, Barracuda Networks completed a financing and recapitalization in which Francisco Partners and Sequoia Capital increased their ownership in the company with a $130 million new investment, in a move to speed growth, and expand sales, development and support operations.