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Google Cloud Hires Palo Alto Networks CFO Kathy Bonanno

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) remains a magnet for high-profile business, technology and financial talent. The latest hire is Palo Alto Networks CFO Kathy Bonanno, who will become business finance officer of Google's Cloud division, the cybersecurity company disclosed today.

Google's rapid-fire cloud hires started when the company recruited Oracle veteran Thomas Kurian to run the search giant's cloud business in November 2018. Although Google remains a distant third in the public cloud services market, the business is growing fast.

Google Cloud Platform: Revenues, Growth

Kathy Bonanno: Exiting Palo Alto Networks for Google Cloud

Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud

The evidence: Google Cloud revenues were $2.8 billion in Q1 2020, up 52 percent compared to the corresponding quarter last year. Data and analytics demand lifted Google Cloud Platform in the areas of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). And G Suite — the Google alternative to Microsoft 365 — continues to gain seat count while expanding its average revenue per seat, the company says.

In addition to hiring Bonanno, key Google Cloud hires have included:

Palo Alto Networks: CFO Succession Plan

In a prepared statement about Bonanno's departure to Google, Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora said:

"Kathy has presided over our financial team during Palo Alto Networks' tremendous expansion into a multi-platform security company. She has chosen a close partner of ours for her next career step - one I know very well, and that has equally amazing people. I would like to thank Kathy for her many contributions to our company, and wish her the very best and continued success in her new role."

Palo Alto Networks expects to name a new CFO later this week. Bonanno will continue in her role through the end of Palo Alto's fiscal year, the company indicated. ChannelE2E believes Palo Alto's fiscal year ends July 31, 2020 -- but we're double-checking.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.