WatchGuard® Technologies has appointed Joe Smolarski as the new Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Vats Srivatsan served as interim CEO since May 2025 and will continue his role on WatchGuard's board of directors, focusing on growth and strategy.
WatchGuard, a company known for unified cybersecurity and part of the Vector Capital portfolio, intends to continue its momentum of innovation.
Enhanced innovation and AI adoption
During Vats Srivatsan's tenure as interim CEO, WatchGuard made significant strides in innovation, operational execution, and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. The company modernised its hardware and software delivery models for its partners and introduced substantial updates across its network security offerings.
These changes led to a record-setting third quarter, with gains in financial performance and global market share, alongside improvements in its Unified Security Platform® and MSP-focused business model.
Leadership experience and strategic goals
Joe Smolarski brings oversight experience, having spent over 25 years in technology, operations, and roles
Joe Smolarski brings extensive leadership experience, having spent over 25 years in technology, operations, and strategy roles. Known for a partner-centric approach, he has successfully guided global organisations through transformation and growth.
His previous achievements include significantly increasing revenue and valuation at Kaseya by uniting teams and technologies with a focus on customer-centricity.
In his new role, Smolarski will collaborate closely with WatchGuard's executive leadership and board to further the company's strategic goals, operational standards, and global partner achievements.
Continuing WatchGuard's growth
Alex Slusky, Founding Partner of Vector Capital and Chairman of WatchGuard, expressed gratitude to Vats for his contributions as interim CEO and praised Joe's skills in scaling organisations.
"In Joe, we have the right pioneer to build on this momentum to drive WatchGuard through this next chapter of growth," Slusky stated, highlighting Joe's capacity to integrate teams and maintain a focus on partner success.
Advancing cybersecurity with Unified Security Platform®
Joe's background with Kaseya, where he oversaw the growth of a scalable IT management platform
Joe's background with Kaseya, where he oversaw the development of a scalable IT management platform, aligns with WatchGuard's mission in cybersecurity.
The company's Unified Security Platform® aims to provide advanced protection, automation, and simplified management to enable MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade security on a large scale. Joe's expertise in transforming complexity into clear growth strategies is expected to fortify WatchGuard's next phase of innovation and partner success.
The MSP-first business model
"WatchGuard has an incredible foundation, a world-class technology platform, an MSP-first business model, and a reputation for trust and performance that stands out in the market," Smolarski remarked. He emphasised the importance of cybersecurity in every MSP's growth strategy and WatchGuard's role in leading this progression.
"I’m excited to build on the company’s strong trajectory and make WatchGuard the cybersecurity vendor synonymous with the MSP community," Smolarski added.
WatchGuard® Technologies, a pioneer in unified cybersecurity and Vector Capital (“Vector”) portfolio company, announced the appointment of Joe Smolarski as Chief Executive Officer.
Vats Srivatsan, who had been named interim CEO since May 2025, will continue to serve as a member of WatchGuard’s board of directors, advising the company on growth & strategy.
WatchGuard re-energised innovation
Under Vats’ leadership, WatchGuard re-energised innovation, strengthened operational execution, and accelerated AI adoption. The company also modernised its hardware and software delivery model for partners, launched a major refresh across its network security portfolio, and delivered a record-setting third quarter in both performance and growth.
These initiatives have materially lifted WatchGuard’s top-line and bottom-line growth trajectories, driven record financial performance, grown global market share, and increased momentum across its Unified Security Platform® and MSP-focused business model.
WatchGuard’s executive leadership team
Joe brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across technology, operations, and strategy. Known as a results-driven, partner-centric operator, he has led global organisations through periods of transformation, scale, and integration.
Most recently, he helped drive a tenfold revenue increase and multi-billion-dollar valuation growth for Kaseya by uniting teams, technologies, and partners around a single, customer-first platform vision.
Joe will work closely with WatchGuard’s executive leadership team and Board to continue driving the company’s strategic initiatives, operational excellence, and global partner success.
Joe’s ability to integrate teams
“I want to thank Vats for stepping in as interim CEO and architecting such rapid performance acceleration in such a short time. I am happy that Vats will continue to guide future growth and strategy as a Board Member,” said Alex Slusky, Founding Partner of Vector Capital and Chairman of WatchGuard.
“In Joe, we have the right pioneer to build on this momentum to drive WatchGuard through this next chapter of growth. Joe has a proven track record of delivering phenomenal growth in MSP-focused technology organisations through both organic and M&A investments."
"Joe’s ability to integrate teams and technologies at scale while staying focused on partner success makes him uniquely qualified to accelerate WatchGuard’s operational and innovation momentum.”
WatchGuard’s next phase of innovation
Joe has been instrumental in leading Kaseya through its hyper-growth phase - building the company’s MSP platform for comprehensive IT management, integrating more than a dozen acquisitions into a cohesive, scalable ecosystem that delivered stronger outcomes for partners, employees, and investors.
That experience translates directly to WatchGuard’s cybersecurity mission, where the company’s Unified Security Platform® brings together advanced protection technologies, automation, and simplified management to give MSPs the power to deliver enterprise-grade security at scale.
Joe’s proven ability to turn complexity into clarity and platforms into growth engines positions him to accelerate WatchGuard’s next phase of innovation and partner success.
MSP’s growth strategy
“WatchGuard has an incredible foundation, a world-class technology platform, an MSP-first business model, and a reputation for trust and performance that stands out in the market,” said Joe Smolarski, CEO, WatchGuard Technologies.
“Cybersecurity has become central to every MSP’s growth strategy, and WatchGuard is perfectly positioned to lead that evolution. I’m excited to build on the company’s strong trajectory and make WatchGuard the cybersecurity vendor synonymous with the MSP community.”
