Align Named to No. 11 Spot on CRN’s Fast Growth 150 List for 2025, Jumping over 90 Spots from 2024

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 5, 2025--

Align, the premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions and Managed IT services, announces today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company®, has recognized Align Managed Services on the 2025 CRN Fast Growth 150 list in the No. 11 spot. This placement marks a 92-spot improvement for Align, up from its 103rd position in 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250805558175/en/

This list highlights the top-performing and fastest-growing technology solution providers, including integrators, managed service providers, value-added resellers and IT consultants in North America. Over the past two years, solution providers on the Fast Growth 150 have achieved remarkable sales growth, propelled by their innovative strategies and advanced technological expertise, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, security and cloud computing.

“We are excited to be listed so highly on the 2025 Fast Growth 150 list,” says Vinod Paul, President of Align Managed Services. “This impressive shift in placement is a testament to our success over the past year. We have always provided best in class solutions and services to our clients and continually invest in our solutions and partnerships to ensure we stay ahead of the curve, and we are honored to be recognized by The Channel Company for these efforts.”

Align Managed Services specializes in providing the alternative financial services industry with Managed Services and Cybersecurity solutions tailored to fit its specific needs. Today, that encompasses leveraging AI securely and compliantly. The rise of AI has revolutionized technology, while also introducing unprecedented issues with security and compliance. This has created a major opportunity for Align to further develop its solution offering to address these issues directly with improvements including the addition of two additional ransomware protection features and Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft’s solution for collaboration within the Microsoft 365 environment.

“Each company on the Fast Growth 150 list is harnessing its extensive technology acumen and forward-looking business strategy to accelerate growth and evolve to stay ahead in the fast-moving IT arena,” said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor, CRN, The Channel Company. “These notable companies show passion and commitment to finding success, supporting agility, and delivering enduring outcomes for customers. We congratulate each of them and look forward to their continued growth and evolution.”

A portion of the 2025 Fast Growth 150 list will be featured in the August issue of CRN Magazine. You can also view the complete list online at www.crn.com/fastgrowth150 beginning August 4th.

To learn more about Align and Align Managed Services, go to www.align.com/managed-services.

About Align

Align is a premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions. For over 35 years, leading firms worldwide have relied on Align to guide them through IT challenges, delivering complete, secure solutions for business change and growth. Align is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has offices in New York City, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Arizona, New Jersey, and Virginia.

About The Channel Company:

The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.

Follow The Channel Company: LinkedIn and X

© 2025 The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Align Named to No. 11 Spot on CRN’s Fast Growth 150 List for 2025, Jumping over 90 Spots from 2024

MINNA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerians on Monday got their first look at 130 children and teachers released after being seized in one of the largest mass abductions in the country's history.

Some of the children appeared to be malnourished or in shock as they arrived at a government ceremony. Police said they were freed Sunday, a month after gunmen stormed their Catholic school in Niger state’s Papiri community in a predawn attack.

Authorities said plans were underway to reunite the children with their families before Christmas.

Authorities earlier said 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were seized and 50 of them escaped in the hours that followed. But on Monday, Niger state Gov. Mohammed Bago indicated that 230 had been taken and all had now been released.

School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africa’s most populous country.

Officials did not say whether a ransom — common in such abductions — had been paid. No group has claimed responsibility, but residents blamed armed gangs that target schools and travelers in kidnappings for ransom across Nigeria’s conflict-battered north.

Most of those seized in the attack were aged between 10 and 17, the school said. One of the children released earlier told The Associated Press that gunmen threatened to shoot them during the attack.

Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, national coordinator at Nigeria’s Center for Counter Terrorism, told Monday's event that Nigeria will work with community leaders to boost safety in high-risk areas.

Freed students of St. Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri community upon their arrival at the government house, in Minna, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

A freed teacher of St. the Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri community upon arrival at the government house, in Minna, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Freed students of St. Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri community pose for photographs upon their arrival at the government house, in Minna, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Freed students of St. Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri community upon their arrival at the government house, in Minna, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Freed students from St. Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri community arrive at the government house, in Minna, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)