# Michael Gold

> Michael Gold is the Chairman and CEO of Intermedia Intelligent Communications, a Sunnyvale-based AI-powered cloud communications company serving over 150,000 businesses through a network of 7,500 channel partners. Since co-leading Intermedia's acquisition in 2011, Gold has grown the company's revenues and profits more than 7x, transforming it from a hosted email provider into a comprehensive UCaaS and CCaaS platform. A Stanford MBA and electrical engineer by training, Gold is a veteran cloud services operator who previously founded Zlago, led Sphera (acquired by Parallels), and served as SVP at Qwest Communications. His signature strategy - selling through partners who resell under their own brands - has made Intermedia a quiet powerhouse behind some of the biggest names in business communications.

- **Role:** Chairman & CEO at Intermedia Intelligent Communications
- **Organizations:** Intermedia Intelligent Communications, Madison Dearborn Partners (board), Zlago (founder, acquired by Intermedia), Sphera (former CEO, acquired by Parallels/Ingram Micro), Vicorp (former CEO, acquired by Motorola)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Stanford Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Grew Intermedia revenues and profits more than 7x since 2011, Built Intermedia to $430M+ annual recurring revenue with 20% YoY communications growth, Scaled Intermedia to 150,000+ business customers and 7,500+ channel partners worldwide

## Career timeline

- **1986** — Graduated with BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- **1989** — Earned MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business
- **1997-1998** — VP of Corporate and Business Development at Icon CMT Corp
- **1999-2002** — Senior Vice President at Qwest Communications; launched CyberCenter datacenter and hosting business, held P&L responsibility for Internet Products
- **1999-2001** — CEO of Vicorp, a software company (later acquired by Motorola)
- **2003-2007** — CEO of Sphera, a cloud services company (acquired by Ingram Micro, then by Parallels)
- **2007-2008** — Senior Vice President at Parallels (joined via Sphera acquisition)
- **2008-2011** — Founded and served as CEO of Zlago, a channel-focused cloud services company
- **2011** — Co-led acquisition of Intermedia with Phil Koen (former SAVVIS CEO) and Oak Hill Capital Partners; joined as President
- **2013** — Promoted to CEO of Intermedia
- **2017** — Madison Dearborn Partners and management acquired Intermedia; CRN named Gold to Top 100 Executives (Top 25 Disrupters)
- **2020** — Intermedia and NEC launched UNIVERGE BLUE brand partnership
- **2023** — Planned IPO postponed citing adverse market conditions; CRN Top 100 Executives recognition
- **2024** — Intermedia assumed NEC's UNIVERGE BLUE UCaaS/CCaaS operations in North America and Europe (September)
- **2026** — 26North Partners announced acquisition of Intermedia for $430M+ ARR; Gold to remain as Chairman & CEO post-close

## Achievements

- Grew Intermedia revenues and profits more than 7x since 2011
- Built Intermedia to $430M+ annual recurring revenue with 20% YoY communications growth
- Scaled Intermedia to 150,000+ business customers and 7,500+ channel partners worldwide
- Named to CRN Top 100 Executives list multiple times (2017, 2023)
- Named one of CRN's Top 25 Disrupters (2017)
- Named one of 25 Most Innovative Executives by CRN/Everything Channel (2009, 2010)
- Led Intermedia to JD Power certification for excellence in assisted technical support (3 consecutive years, first among cloud providers)
- Successfully assumed NEC's UNIVERGE BLUE cloud communications business in North America and Europe
- Pioneered the Customer Ownership Reseller (CORE) model enabling partners to earn 5x more revenue
- Transformed Intermedia from a business email provider to a comprehensive UCaaS/CCaaS/AI platform
- Built company to 1,400+ global employees

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — 26North Partners announced acquisition of Intermedia Intelligent Communications; Michael Gold to remain as Chairman & CEO post-close
- **2025-03** — Intermedia expanded partner-first strategy with AI-driven UCaaS and CCaaS enhancements, including the Intermedia Ascend program for 50+ service providers
- **2024-10** — Intermedia assumed full responsibility for NEC's UNIVERGE BLUE cloud communications business in North America and partner relationships in Europe
- **2024-09** — Intermedia and NEC entered definitive agreement for Intermedia to assume NEC's UNIVERGE BLUE UCaaS and CCaaS operations
- **2023-12** — Intermedia postponed planned IPO citing adverse market conditions for tech companies

## Links

- Website: https://intermedia.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljgold
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u341UxYt_iU
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intermedia.inc

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-gold
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-16