Juniper Networks recently appointed Emilio Umeoka as its new worldwide channel chief, extending the company’s goals around global expansion. Umeoka transited to Juniper from Microsoft, following a long line of execs leaving the company in favor of Juniper.  Umeoka joins Juniper from Microsoft where he served the company as president of Asia Pacific.

Umeoka’s new position puts him in charge of global channel strategies and partner initiatives. The award-winning executive is only the latest addition to Juniper’s hiring streak that’s been going on lately, aimed to position key execs for spreading the company’s footprint across the globe. Nevertheless, it seems Juniper has an eye on Microsoft employees in particular, and Umeoka’s transit to Juniper follows others, including Brad Brooks, the most recent example, Kevin Johnson and Lauren Cooney.

Regardless of whom Juniper Networks is targeting to fill in its seemingly countless openings, it’s on a course or (at least planning to be) to accelerate its global growth and expansion, from more aspect than one.

The company recently launched a new training and education program built for company partners; the Continuing Education Program, as part of the Juniper Learning Academy curriculum. The company was earlier presented as the Best Channel Vendor for 2011 by Business Solutions Magazine’s readership, and revealed plans to augment workforce at the India Excellence Center.