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BlueStar announces retirement of Mike Byington

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 — 17:06:49 (UTC)

August 20, 2025 – Hebron, KY - Today, BlueStar announces that Mike Byington, current Vice President of Business Development, will retire effective December 31st, 2025.

In the rapidly evolving world of technology distribution, few constants remain. But for over three decades, Mike Byington has served as both a foundational pillar and a relentless innovator, helping to shape our organization, inspiring our people, and expanding our reach across partners and technologies. Today, we honor and celebrate the remarkable career and impact of our long-standing leader and friend, who has been with the company since shortly after its rebirth in the 90s.

As the fourth employee to join the company, Mike brought an unmatched dedication to our mission and an entrepreneurial spirit that would soon spark countless new ideas. From his early days as an inside salesperson, Mike demonstrated a unique ability to connect with partners, understand customer pain points, and turn opportunities into long-term success. It was during these foundational years that he laid the groundwork for what would become a hallmark of our company culture: authentic relationship-building and a tireless commitment to delivering value.

As BlueStar grew, so did Mike’s influence. Transitioning into the role of Vice President of Business Development, he became a driving force behind some of BlueStar’s most critical growth initiatives. Perhaps most notably, he was an architect of our ISV Partnership Program, a bold move that redefined how we engage with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) —both emerging and established. This program was not only ahead of its time but also instrumental in opening new revenue streams for our channel partners while enabling ISVs to access scalable go-to-market support through our network.

Mike’s visionary thinking didn't stop at ISVs. He played a pivotal role in cultivating and securing strategic partnerships with both customers and suppliers, bridging relationships that have fueled innovation and sustained our leadership position in the market. His instincts for opportunity, paired with his deep understanding of the channel ecosystem, allowed BlueStar to form alliances that extended our capabilities and deepened our market reach.

Mike’s greatest legacy lies in the people he’s mentored—his guidance and belief in others have shaped many of today’s leaders and left a lasting mark on BlueStar’s culture and approach to partner engagement and team development. He helped to build the BlueStar DNA.

After more than 30 years, Mike’s fingerprints are on every corner of our business. From sales processes to partner strategy, from relationship management to internal mentorship—his leadership has left an indelible mark.

As we look toward the future, we do so on a foundation that he helped build—with humility, innovation, and a relentless focus on enabling partner success. Thank you, Mike, for your vision, your dedication, and the legacy you’ve given all of us. The journey you’ve led has not only shaped BlueStar but has also empowered an entire community.

About BlueStar

BlueStar is the leading global distributor of solutions-based Digital Identification, Mobility, Point-of-Sale, RFID, IoT, AI, M2M, Digital Signage, Networking, Connectivity, and Security technologies. BlueStar sells exclusively to Value-Added Resellers (VARs), Integrators, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), providing complete, creative solutions in collaboration with industry-leading hardware and software vendors.

The company offers services like pre-ship custom configuration and award-winning technical support, and is an authorized service center for several top manufacturers. BlueStar is the exclusive distributor of the In-a-Box™ Series Solutions, delivering hardware, software, and critical accessories in a single bundle. Additional services include financial programs to meet the needs of resellers and their customers, business development, and marketing support.

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Source: Company press release.

Categories: Announcement