👉 Key Topics Covered:

(00:00:20) Juan introduces the mission of MSP Owners Group—a self-funded MSP rollup designed to empower both MSP business owners and employees, bridging the gap to the next era of the managed services industry Juan calls MSP 5.0.

(00:04:07) Recent acquisitions, including ProdigyTeks and Cool Technology Group, and how leaders like Paco Lebron are shaping MSP OG’s culture-first approach.

(00:09:33) Why culture matters: Juan explains how MSP OG is different from typical rollups, offering owners a soft landing while preserving company identity and providing equity opportunities for employees.

(00:13:18) Employee equity and leadership development as differentiators in MSP OG’s rollup strategy.

(00:23:04) Juan’s concept of MSP 5.0—business operations as a service, fast-moving tech shifts like AI, and how MSPs must evolve in the next five years.

(00:30:03) How MSPs should approach AI, avoid shiny-object syndrome, and ensure technology investments align with real customer demand.

(00:37:12) What’s next for MSP Owners Group in 2025—including more acquisitions and plans for a financing arm to support MSP partners.

Juan shares personal motivations for creating MSP OG, aiming to protect the MSP community’s legacy while helping business owners find better ways to exit or grow—without sacrificing culture.

If you’re an MSP owner considering your next move, curious about the future of the industry, or passionate about building sustainable businesses that empower people, this conversation is a must-listen.

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday.

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at partnerpov@channelinsider.com

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn.

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso.

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

Guest Rishi Bhargava, Co-Founder of Descope, is joined by Katherine Walther, Vice President of Innovation at MSP and Descope channel partner Trace3, who details her company's experience partnering with Descope to meet emerging customer demands. Walther explained how the partnership kicked off with a huge success when Trace3 needed to find a vendor that could solve a very specific and urgent problem for a customer.

Together, they discuss:

⏱ 1:02 Why traditional CIAM tools fall short in today’s AI-driven landscape

⏱ 2:53 How Descope’s visual “Flows” simplify user journeys while preventing security mistakes

⏱ 6:17 Trace3’s firsthand experience deploying Descope for urgent client challenges

⏱ 8:11 How Descope helps secure AI agents and manage dynamic identity scenarios

⏱ 12:28 The importance of strong channel partnerships for delivering identity solutions

⏱ 15:55 How AWS powers Descope’s flexible, cloud-native CIAM platform

If you’re exploring modern identity security, or looking for ways to integrate AI safely into customer experiences, this conversation is a must-listen.

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday.

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at partnerpov@channelinsider.com

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn.

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso.

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.

In this Channel Insider: Partner POV episode, host Katie Bavoso interviews Nathan Davidson, Vice President of Partnerships at Five Star Technology Solutions, a solutions and services provider dedicated to K-12 education support. They explore how Five Star helps schools navigate tight budgets, evolving EdTech needs, AI adoption, and the complexities of CTO roles in education. Learn how Five Star partners with schools to provide trusted advisory services, efficient technology solutions, and support for long-term digital transformation.

📌 Topics & Time Codes:

00:00 – Introduction to Nathan Davidson and Five Star Technology Solutions

01:57 – Nathan’s career journey from aspiring teacher to EdTech leader

05:45 – Five Star’s services for K-12: infrastructure, analytics, professional development

09:02 – The evolving role of CTOs in schools and their critical responsibilities

13:33 – How school IT leaders turn to Five Star for support

17:15 – Tackling tight school budgets with smart technology investments

23:27 – AI in education: trends, challenges, and professional development

26:30 – The pandemic’s impact on K-12 technology adoption

30:14 – Success stories: Supporting schools through the shift to remote learning

A new episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV is released every other Thursday.

Watch the interview on YouTube @ChannelInsider_NewsAndTrends

If you have questions for a featured solution provider or want to be a guest on the show, reach out to us at partnerpov@channelinsider.com

For more episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV as well as written content on the IT channel, go to channelinsider.com

Connect with Channel Insider on LinkedIn.

Episodes of Channel Insider: Partner POV are hosted and produced by Katie Bavoso with help from Dana Sell, and edited by Ayen Alvarez and Katie Bavoso.

The cover art for Channel Insider: Partner POV was created by Aubri Ziegler. The opening and closing animations were made by Mackenzie Burke. The thumbnails for each episode are made by Brandon Cornwell.

Channel Insider: Partner POV is an asset of Channel Insider, which is a brand under TechnologyAdvice.