Management Team

Dennis Cindrich, Chief Executive Officer

Dennis Cindrich joined Digi-Data in January 2005 as president and CEO, bringing with him extensive storage industry-related experience in both the hardware and software arenas. His career has spanned over 25 years and included various executive positions in general management, sales, marketing, customer service and business development. Prior to joining Digi-Data, Dennis was part of the executive management teams at Dot Hill/Chaparral Network Storage, Tricord Systems and StorageTek, where he held the positions of VP corporate development, VP of sales and VP/general manager of the Multi-Platform Disk Business Group, respectively. Previous to StorageTek, Dennis also served in various senior management positions at Amperif Corporation, Pertec Computer, TRW and Docutel Corporation to complement his broad experience in both the domestic and international markets.

Ken Willis, VP of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer

Ken Willis joined Digi-Data in January 2005 as VP of engineering and CTO. Ken brings with him extensive product development experience in storage products, from the hardware, software and embedded software disciplines. Ken has been in a product development role for over 36 years, from software engineer to executive engineering positions. Prior to joining Digi-Data, Ken’s history includes Storage Area Networks Inc. (SANZ), StorageTek and Unisys/Univac. Ken held the position of VP of engineering at SANZ, a SAN integrator and VAR. Prior to SANZ, Ken was a senior engineering manager and director of both hardware and software engineering organizations during his tenure at StorageTek. While at StorageTek, his SANaps™ engineering group won the 1999 Best SAN Product Award from Performance Computing. Prior to StorageTek, Ken served in various engineering management positions at Unisys and Univac, including overseas assignments.

Walter Hinton, VP of Corporate Development

Walter Hinton is responsible for Digi-Data’s strategic business direction and key technology partnerships.  Leveraging 22 years of experience creating new markets for storage networking and storage services, Hinton evaluates acquisitions and investments as well as cultivates relationships with new OEM customers, technology suppliers, and strategic alliances.  Prior to joining Digi-Data, Mr. Hinton was the founding chief technology officer for Incentra Solutions, a conglomerate of storage products and managed services.  He also served as a business unit general manager, as chief strategist for StorageTek, and was a founder of the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA). In addition, Walt’s experience includes various positions in marketing and product development with McDATA Corporation and NEC America, Inc.

Dan Oister, VP of Marketing and Alliances

Dan joined Digi-Data in May of 2006, changing his status from a consultant to a full-time employee.  As the founder and principal consultant of, Go-to-Market Engineering, Dan had successfully executed channel diversification, expansion and sales acceleration programs for many large storage manufacturers and distribution companies.  He also started Antera Storage Concepts, Inc. which developed and licensed an adaptive, policy-based storage routing middleware technology to improve storage automation in file-based storage systems.  With over 25 years in the storage business, Dan also spent time at StorageTek/Sun, Tricord Systems and Breece Hill technologies in various channel sales, marketing and technical positions.

Franck Borens, EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa) Business Development Executive Director

Franck Borens manages all European sales. With more than 20 years of experience in a variety of senior sales and marketing positions, Franck brings with him senior level management expertise in large storage manufacturing companies such as Storage Technology Corporation.  As founder of Open Storage Solutions, Franck’s efforts helped to develop the first indirect sales channel in France. During his last eight years in the data storage industry, Franck has been a consultant for companies like Chaparral & Dot Hill and was in charge of developing EMEA distribution channels.  Franck’s success in building data storage solutions delivered through European channels such as storage distributors, integrators and VARs will provide great momentum as Digi-Data continues its expansion into the EMEA markets.