Starting and scaling an MSP is hard enough. But what if you could also help shape the future of the industry itself? That is exactly what Corey Kirkendoll has done as CEO of 5K Technical Services in Plano, Texas, and as a visible leader on national committees, advisory councils, and boards across the MSP channel.

Corey’s journey is one of intention, community, and transformation. He shows us that running an MSP is not just about technology. It is about people, strategy, and building something bigger than yourself.

Before founding 5K Technical Services, Corey spent years in leadership roles at Cisco, Linksys, and IBM. He enjoyed the ride during the tech boom, but when the bubble burst and layoffs became routine, he realized corporate America was not where he wanted to stay.

At the same time, volunteer work, especially at his local church, opened his eyes to the IT gaps facing small and medium businesses. While earning his MBA, Corey drafted a business plan for an IT services company. At first it was just an academic exercise. But when peers and mentors pointed out its potential, and when his church encouraged him to apply his plan, Corey suddenly found himself with his very first customer.

That side project grew into something much bigger. Eventually the day came when he made the leap and asked to be included in the next round of layoffs at Cisco. It was a bold decision, but one he describes as one of the best of his life.

Corey credits his time in corporate tech with teaching him one of his guiding principles: IT should serve the business, not the other way around.

At 5K, conversations with clients always begin with business goals. Where are they going in three to five years? Are they hiring? Expanding? Acquiring? Those answers shape the IT roadmap.

“If you don’t set even a small budget for IT, you are setting yourself up for failure,” he explains. “We have to be proactive partners, not just firefighters.”

That philosophy turned 5K into a trusted advisor, not just a vendor.

For Corey, community involvement is non-negotiable. He compares it to running for public office. You have to be visible, present, and engaged. Whether it is local chambers of commerce, volunteer events, or industry boards, he believes showing up consistently builds the kind of trust that leads to real business relationships.

His years as an expatriate in Australia also left a lasting impression. Business there, he says, always starts with relationship-building. It is about knowing families, sharing meals, and building trust long before contracts are signed. He brought that lesson back and applied it both in his MSP and in his industry leadership roles.

Ask Corey what excites him today, and he will tell you about experimenting with AI tools late into the night. Ask him what frustrates him, and he will point to how cybersecurity is too often driven by fear instead of constructive solutions.

When asked about legacy, Corey’s answer is deeply personal. Growing up in Oklahoma City, raised by a single mom, he says the odds were stacked against him. “I didn’t have a Corey Kirkendoll when I was growing up,” he explains. “So I want to be that person for as many others as I can.”

Mentorship, teaching, and giving back are not side projects for Corey. They are central to his definition of success.

H1 Lessons from the Journey

Volunteer leadership teaches you how to lead better inside your company. IT must align with business goals or it becomes a roadblock. Your first customers often come from the communities where you already serve.

Show up where your clients are: chambers, events, volunteer opportunities. Relationships drive business more than pitches do. Emerging technologies like AI are opportunities if you engage with them early.

True legacy comes from giving back and creating opportunities for others.

Corey’s story is a reminder that growth is not just about scaling revenue. It is about leading with intention, building trust through community, and creating a business that reflects your values.

If you are ready to move from operator to CEO, and to grow with clarity and structure, Gozynta’s Growth Program can help. Learn more at gozynta.com/growth-program.