2/9/2026
Zachary Esmond joined MRE Consulting about a year and a half ago, stepping into the role of Director of Strategic Partnerships. With a technical background that allows him to act as both a sales leader and a sales engineer, Zach has been instrumental in building the company’s sales practice and expanding brand awareness within the Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed IT Services space. In this interview, Zach shares his “funny” journey to MRE, his philosophy on leadership, and what he does to unwind on his 26-acre property in Hubbard, Texas.
Q: To start off, how did you first hear about MRE?
It’s actually a funny story. I’ve known our account manager, Brandon Leary, for a long time because we worked together at a prior MSP. About a year after he joined MRE, I was at my former employer onboarding a new client and we discovered the incumbent provider was MRE Consulting. Brandon and I started firing off funny text messages during the transition meeting, and eventually, Shay Mazumder from MRE told Brandon he wanted to meet me. After learning about MRE’s values and growth strategy over several months, I decided to make the move.
Q: What was your first impression of MRE Consulting and its leadership?
My first thought after talking to Shay was that I could learn something from him. I had reached a point in my previous role where I felt I was no longer learning, which had stalled my progress. Shay handled business differently than I was used to, and that sparked my interest. Later, meeting with Shay and Dru Neikirk, our vice president, for lunch sealed the deal. Dru took the time to get to know me as a person. Our conversation even veered into health and exercise rather than just focusing on what I could bring to the company.
Q: Tell us about your current role and what you’re building here.
I am the Director of Strategic Partnerships and the sales arm for our tech division. Beyond just selling, I was brought on to build a formal sales practice. Previously, MRE relied mostly on word-of-mouth. Now, we’re doing active outreach, mail campaigns, and sponsoring conferences to build brand awareness. We’re establishing a culture where we can cultivate a real pipeline and let people know exactly what our MSP capabilities are.
Q: What are you most excited about for the coming year?
I’m excited to see the fruit of the seeds we planted in 2025, which was a very foundational year for us. We went through a heavy technology shift, migrating our ticketing system and deploying AI-based tool sets. I’m also thrilled about the cross-department collaboration we’re seeing. We’ve moved away from a “my department” mindset to a “my company” mindset. For example, we just signed a pilot AI program for an MSP client through a collaboration with our AI team, and our PDS team is actively collaborating with us to bring MSP services to a client from their personal network.
Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest strength of your division?
It’s simple: our people care. Whether it’s management ensuring client needs are met quickly or staff digging for the root cause of an issue rather than just applying a Band-Aid, the dedication is there. Recently, two staff members even went out to a construction site over the weekend just to make sure an ISP installation went seamlessly. That drive to “level up” and embrace change is what sets us apart.
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy that guides your career?
I often refer to a John Maxwell quote: “Your attitude, more than your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” We all face challenges, but the attitude we bring to overcoming them is what truly makes a person successful.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to join the tech industry?
Always have a growth mindset and a knack for curiosity. Technology changes constantly, so you have to jump on every opportunity to learn new software or platforms. On the support side, focus on your customer service and communication skills. Sometimes you have to deliver bad news, and being able to do that while offering a solution is key. For sales, my biggest tip is to know your product. Don’t just read about it; experience it so you can truly connect with the client to overcome their challenges.
Q: When you aren’t busy with clients, what do you like to do in your free time?
I spend a lot of time with my wife and three boys. Beyond that, I love working with my hands. I have some acreage in Hubbard, Texas, where I go to build things, like a lean-to I recently added to my shed. It’s a great creative outlet after spending so much time behind a desk. I’ve also taken up golf, I am scuba dive certified, and I recently took an introductory private pilot course. Plus, I signed up for the Bike MS: Texas MS150 ride again this year.
Q: Finally, what should someone look for when choosing a new MSP?
Look for a managed services provider that takes a consulting approach first. Anyone can fix Outlook, but you want a partner who understands your business operations and growth strategy. If you want a true partner to handle your IT strategy while you focus on your business, MRE consulting is the place to be.
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