Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It requires collaboration, strategic alignment, and a shared vision for the future of connectivity. At Zayo, we understand that our mission to connect what’s next is only possible through the strength of our ecosystem. That’s why we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Zayo Partner Awards.
This year’s recipients represent the very best of the best — partners who have gone above and beyond to drive growth, solve complex customer challenges, and push the boundaries of global communications infrastructure. From established industry leaders to dynamic newcomers, these organizations have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Join us as we celebrate their achievements and the incredible impact they have made on our business and the customers we serve together.
The Power of Partnership: Building the Future Together
The Zayo Partner Awards program reflects our deep appreciation for the channel partners who play a pivotal role in our business strategy. Our goal has always been to increase our shared market impact by fostering stronger relationships and promoting exceptional performance across sales, marketing, and customer service.
This year’s winners were selected based on their ability to align with Zayo’s strategic goals, improve partner relationships, and boost brand loyalty through verified customer success stories. These partners went above and beyond selling — acting as trusted advisors, navigating the complexities of digital transformation, and delivering tangible business outcomes.
Whether it’s enabling high-performance fiber networks or deploying managed edge services, the following winners have proven that when we work together, we can achieve remarkable results.
Technology Solutions Distributor (TSD) of the Year: Avant
We are proud to recognize Avant as our 2025 Technology Solutions Distributor (TSD) of the Year.
In the complex world of technology distribution, Avant stands out for its engineering-led approach and operational excellence. Under the leadership of executives like Shane McNamara, EVP of Engineering and Operations, Avant consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the fiber connectivity space.
This award acknowledges Avant’s ability to empower trusted advisors with the tools, resources, and engineering support necessary to close complex deals. Their alignment with Zayo’s infrastructure capabilities has allowed us to reach new markets and solve critical connectivity challenges for enterprise customers. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical application, Avant continues to set the standard for what a TSD can achieve.
“Zayo has been intentional with building a strong channel program that withstands any one person(s) heroics,” says McNamara. “The team collectively is listening to partners and continuously making improvements from presales, implementation, and lifecycle management. Avant is very proud to be at the top again with Zayo, and we could not do it without our Trusted Advisors.”
Most Innovative Partner: Parallel
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, which is why the Most Innovative Partner of the Year award holds a special significance. This year, we are delighted to present this honor to Parallel, led by CEO Don Poiling.
The “Most Innovative” category focuses heavily on customer experience excellence. We looked for a partner who dedicated themselves to providing exceptional service and exceeding expectations through creative problem-solving. Parallel earned this recognition by deploying innovative solutions and approaches that have had a significant, positive impact on our shared business.
Parallel transforms how their customers operate. By leveraging Zayo’s network solutions in unique ways, they have created use cases that drive efficiency and scalability. Their ability to think outside the box and tailor solutions to specific customer needs exemplifies the spirit of true partnership and innovation.
“We’re honored to be named Most Innovative Partner of the Year by Zayo — a recognition that underscores what’s possible when partnership replaces convention, says Poling. “In an industry too often limited by legacy constraints and outdated thinking, we’ve chosen to challenge the status quo. Together, we are not just responding to client needs — we’re redefining how modern infrastructure solutions are designed, delivered, and scaled. This partnership is built on a shared belief that innovation doesn’t require disruption for disruption’s sake — it requires vision, precision, and alignment. By meeting clients where they are in their technology lifecycle and architecting strategic, product-agnostic solutions around their goals, we are transforming complex environments into competitive advantage. The result is not incremental improvement — it’s meaningful transformation.”
Newcomer of the Year: CommQuotes
Every year, we see new players enter the ecosystem who immediately make their presence known. For 2025, our Newcomer of the Year is CommQuotes.
Phil Sparer, Chief Advisory Officer at CommQuotes, and his team have wasted no time in establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the Zayo channel. As a vendor-agnostic technology advisory firm, CommQuotes helps organizations evaluate, procure, and manage IT and telecommunications solutions.
“Our partnership with Zayo is built on trust, high-touch support, and deep engineering skills that consistently help us solve complex client challenges,” says Sparer. “Coupled with competitive pricing and strong channel alignment, the Zayo team is a partner we truly value.”
Despite being a newer focal partner, CommQuotes has leveraged relationships with global suppliers to deliver expert engineering support and strategic guidance. Their impressive first-year impact demonstrates that rapid growth is achievable with the right expertise and partnership alignment. We are excited to see what heights CommQuotes will reach in the years to come.
Partner of the Year: Lightyear
Finally, we arrive at our highest honor. The Partner of the Year award recognizes the partner that has excelled across multiple disciplines — sales, marketing, innovation, customer service, and overall partnership growth.
We are honored to name Lightyear as our 2025 Partner of the Year.
With leadership from Rob Rodier, VP of Sales, Lightyear has proven to be the most valuable player in our channel ecosystem this year. They have consistently outperformed across the board, driving significant revenue growth while maintaining the highest standards of customer satisfaction.
“Lightyear and Zayo are a go-to combination for sophisticated networking teams,” says Rodier. “By pairing massive 400G capacity with a sharp understanding of market economics, we bridge the gap between meeting complex technical requirements and successful business outcomes. We consistently find that Zayo delivers for our customers throughout the entire lifecycle of the service.”
Lightyear’s platform-driven approach to procurement simplifies the buying process for enterprises, making them a natural fit for Zayo’s extensive network offerings. Their ability to execute marketing initiatives that align with our brand, coupled with their sales excellence, makes them a model partner. This award is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the robust collaborative relationship we have built together.
Strengthening the Ecosystem
Congratulations again to Avant, Parallel, CommQuotes, and Lightyear. Your achievements in 2025 have set a high bar, and we are grateful for your continued partnership.
For those inspired by these success stories, now is the time to engage with Zayo. Whether you are a long-time partner looking to expand your portfolio or a newcomer ready to make your mark, our ecosystem is built to help you succeed. Together, we can navigate the complexities of the digital world and connect what’s next.
Let’s continue to build, innovate, and grow in 2025 and beyond.