(This is part of a series of stories looking at MSP 501 winners).
FIT Technologies CEO Adam Tubbs describes the past year as one of change, and one that challenged the Cleveland-based MSP.
As usual, the FIT team met the challenges – riding the waves of AI and compliance regulations to No. 118 on the 2026 MSP 501. It was FIT’s sixth straight year on the MSP 501.
“Historically, I’d say our willingness to evolve has been just as important as anything else,” Tubbs said. “The MSPs that stand still don’t last long in this industry.”
Tubbs joined the 27-year-old FIT in 2008 as a client services manager and became CEO in July 2021, when its six-year MSP 501 streak began.
“I’ve had the opportunity to help lead and evolve the company through its next phase of growth,” Tubbs said. “What drew me to FIT, and what still excites me today, is the opportunity to build something bigger than just an IT provider. We’re building a company that serves as a true partner to our clients, where trust, accountability, and outcomes come first.
“For me personally, it’s about creating an environment where our team can thrive, our clients feel supported, and our partners see us as an extension of their business. That’s what makes this work meaningful.”
Adam Tubbs
Tubbs said FIT’s success comes down to four core principles – a focus on relationships, operational discipline, a security-first and outcome-drive mindset and strong team and culture.
“AI moved from a much-discussed concept to a practical tool being used across organizations, especially by executives at many of our clients,” Tubbs said. “And compliance requirements continued to expand, raising expectations for IT providers around both security and regulatory support.”
He expects those to drive continued success this year, as FIT looks to help clients safely adopt AI, navigate security and compliance and become a true business advisor.
“MSPs that can connect technology to outcomes will win,” he said.
Tubbs said FIT uses AI internally to improve service delivery efficiency via ticket triage and AI chatbots, improving response times and automation. Externally, FIT helps customers understand how to adopt AI safely, evaluate ROI for repetitive processes through automation, and unlock productivity gains across their organizations with new AI tools.
Rapid AI adoption also creates challenges, particularly in driving AI readiness and implementing governance. “Clients are more informed than ever, and expectations are higher,” Tubbs said. “That’s a good thing, but it raises the bar for everyone.”
Tubbs said he sees two major misconceptions about MSPs. First, “that you need an internal IT person to manage the MSP,” he said. “We often operate most effectively when we report directly to a COO or CEO who can make business decisions around technology and trust us to handle the IT strategy and execution.”
The other misconception is “that all MSPs are the same. There is a meaningful difference between reactive support providers and firms that are proactive, strategic, and accountable.”
Another difference – as FIT has learned -- is the successful MSPs don’t stand still.