Align Taps Cyber-Veteran to Deepen Ties with Financial Firms

NEW YORK, NY – April 07, 2026 – Align, a global provider of technology infrastructure solutions, has appointed Skylar Moran as its new Director of Customer Success, a strategic move designed to fortify its relationship-driven approach within its rapidly expanding Managed Services practice. The appointment signals a deeper industry trend where service excellence and strategic partnership are becoming the primary currency for technology providers serving the high-stakes alternative investment sector.

Moran will be responsible for leading client relationships, a critical role as demand for specialized managed IT services continues to surge among hedge funds, private equity firms, and other financial institutions navigating a landscape of increasing complexity and risk.

The Strategic Pivot to Outcome-Driven Partnerships

In an era where technology services are often commoditized, Align's move underscores a significant shift occurring across the managed services industry. For sophisticated clients in the alternative investment space—a sector projected to manage nearly $30 trillion by 2035—the focus has moved beyond basic IT support and cost reduction. These firms now demand strategic partners who can deliver measurable business outcomes, from ensuring regulatory compliance to providing a resilient defense against advanced cyber threats.

"Our Managed Services practice is built on the belief that great technology outcomes start with great client relationships," said Vinod Paul, President of Align Managed Services, in a statement. This philosophy is reflective of a broader market realization: customer retention and growth are intrinsically linked to the value clients perceive they are receiving, not just the services being delivered. The appointment of a senior leader dedicated to customer success is a direct investment in that value chain. A proactive, high-touch approach is no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival and growth in this competitive niche.

This strategy is about transforming the client relationship from a transactional one to a symbiotic partnership. For emerging managers, this means providing efficient, scalable support that allows them to grow confidently. For established firms, it translates to greater visibility into risk, infrastructure performance, and long-term strategic planning. Moran's role is designed to formalize this process, driving retention, expansion, and a comprehensive lifecycle strategy for every client.

Fortifying Defenses in a High-Stakes Environment

The alternative investment sector operates under immense pressure. On one side, there is the ever-tightening grip of regulatory bodies like the SEC, demanding stringent data security, privacy controls, and demonstrable due diligence. On the other, there is a relentless barrage of sophisticated cyberattacks, with AI-powered phishing and data extortion schemes becoming increasingly common. For these firms, a security breach is not just an IT problem; it's an existential threat to their capital, reputation, and investor trust.

This is where Moran's specific expertise becomes particularly relevant. With over a decade of experience in customer success and, crucially, cybersecurity-focused service delivery, his background is tailored to the primary anxieties of Align's core clientele. His appointment reinforces the company’s commitment to integrating deep security knowledge into every facet of client engagement.

"Skylar's deep background in customer success, cybersecurity-focused service delivery, and scaling high-performing teams makes him an exceptional addition to our leadership," Paul noted. "He brings exactly the expertise our clients need as they navigate a rapidly evolving technology environment." This hire is less about managing accounts and more about embedding a security-first, consultative mindset into the very fabric of the client relationship, ensuring that the technology foundation is not just functional but fortified.

The Talent Play in a Crowded Field

Align's appointment of Moran is also a tactical maneuver in the fierce competition for talent. The IT industry, particularly in specialized fields like cybersecurity and cloud architecture, is grappling with an acute talent shortage. This scarcity makes leaders who possess both technical acumen and proven experience in scaling client-facing operations exceptionally valuable.

Moran's track record at Adlumin, a security and compliance automation platform, is a case in point. There, he built a 30-person Customer Experience organization from the ground up and played a key leadership role during the company's $266 million acquisition by N-able in 2024. Experience guiding a customer base through the complexities of a major corporate acquisition is invaluable, demonstrating an ability to maintain stability and trust during periods of significant change—a skill highly prized by fast-moving investment firms.

Chris Zadrima, Align's Chief Operating Officer, highlighted this fit, stating, “Our clients are sophisticated and fast-moving. They expect a partner who matches that energy at every level! Skylar brings the strategic perspective and client-first mindset that will help us continue delivering the exceptional service Align is known for.” This move can be seen as Align acquiring not just an employee, but a proven methodology for building and scaling world-class customer engagement in a high-pressure, security-sensitive market.

A Proactive Blueprint for Client Engagement

In his new capacity, Moran will lead Customer Relationship Management across Align's client base. His mandate goes beyond simple satisfaction surveys, focusing on strategic account planning, executive engagement, and ensuring that every client has a clear roadmap for their technology and security posture.

This proactive approach is designed to anticipate needs rather than just react to problems. For a firm that has built its 37-year reputation on guiding clients through complex IT challenges, this represents the next evolution of its "white-glove" service model—a model recently recognized with inclusion in CRN's MSP 500 List for 2026.

Moran himself expressed enthusiasm for the challenge. "Joining Align at this moment is incredibly exciting," he said. "The alternative investment sector demands a level of precision and strategic partnership that goes beyond traditional managed services. I'm looking forward to working alongside a talented team to deepen client relationships and ensure that every organization we support has the technology foundation they need to operate with confidence." His focus on enabling clients to "operate with confidence" encapsulates the ultimate goal of the customer success function: transforming a service provider into an indispensable partner in achieving business objectives securely and efficiently.