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DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CompTIA, the IT industry trade association, today recognized three distinguished millennials as the recipients of its 2015 ChannelChangers award, recognizing entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators who are under 30 and already making their mark on the IT industry. 

The 2015 CompTIA ChannelChangers are:

• Samantha Ciaccia, 25, Channel Engagement Manager, Datto Inc., Norwalk, Conn.
  
  The youngest executive within the 2015 class of CompTIA ChannelChangers, Samantha has earned a number of industry accolades including being named to the 2015 and 2014 CRN "Women of the Channel," as well as the 2014 MSPmentor 250 and CRN 2015 Up & Comers list. She is an executive champion and founding member of the CompTIA Future Leaders Community and has been recognized alongside Datto at many events for her channel advocacy and business excellence. Sam's life hashtag:  #AttitudeIsEverything

• Chance Hoover, 27, Channel Marketing Manager, Intel Security, Plano, Texas.
  
  Chance is a proud new dad who has built a promising career in IT security by focusing his efforts on education, training and giving back to the community. For more than four years, Chance has served as the project manager for many of Intel Security's high profile events including the annual Technical Forum. He is also the team lead for Intel Security's Online Safety for Kids Program and has directly trained more than 10,000 children and helped prepare and facilitate training to over 20,000 children and adults. Chance's life hashtag: #LiveLikeTheyWantAnEncore

• Samantha Klein, 29, Marketing Manager, IBM, Manhattan, N.Y.
  
  Samantha is a passionate and inspired marketing executive and social media coach credited with founding and co-leading IBM's first and only online millennial community, IBM Millennial Corps. Under her leadership this virtual community has grown to represent more than 3,000 millennials across 42 countries working within IBM.  Samantha's life hashtag:  #BePassionatelyCurious

"The impressive accomplishments and contributions of these three individuals are inspiring and demonstrate the rewarding opportunities young adults have when pursuing a career in IT," said Kelly Ricker, senior vice president, events and education, CompTIA. "Congratulations to this year's CompTIA ChannelChangers; and thank you to those that encourage and mentor our industry's future leaders to greatness." 

This is the second year that CompTIA has recognized up and coming leaders in the IT industry. Young professionals between the ages of 23 and 29 as of August 2015, with two years' experience within the IT industry and current employment with a CompTIA member company were eligible for consideration. Nominees were evaluated on their accomplishments and achievements, understanding of the industry, potential to serve as a role model and proven ability to draw on their own experiences to make business decisions that are and will positively impact the industry. Winners were selected by a committee of industry executives and experts.

The 2015 CompTIA ChannelChangers will be recognized at CompTIA ChannelCon, the premier training and partnering event for the IT channel, taking place Aug. 3-5 in Chicago.

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SOURCE CompTIA