GTDC Announces Appointment of Avnet CEO Rick Hamada as Chairman

ST. PETERSBURG, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 14, 2012) - The Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) today announced the appointment of Rick Hamada, CEO of Avnet, Inc., as the organization's chairman. Hamada takes over the position held by Tech Data CEO Bob Dutkowsky, whose two-year tenure ends this month. The change officially took place at the GTDC's annual U.S. Vendor Summit, Sept. 12-13, at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach, Calif.

Over the past year, Hamada has served as vice chairman of the GTDC, a worldwide association dedicated to advancing the awareness and value of the wholesale technology distribution industry. In this role, Hamada helped lead the GTDC's strategic direction and governance, which he will continue to do in a greater capacity as chairman. The organization's members annually generate more than $100 billion in global product and services revenue.

"Rick has been incredibly helpful to the GTDC over the past year and we're privileged to have him grow with us as chairman," commented Tim Curran, the GTDC's CEO. "His insight and deep channel knowledge will be invaluable in our efforts to support GTDC members and their partnerships -- including in relation to fast-changing issues and opportunities affecting distributors, vendors and solution providers."

"I'm honored to serve as chairman of the GTDC," Hamada said. "This organization plays a vital role in the continuing evolution of the technology distribution industry. The GTDC's resources, events, research and initiatives have a significant and growing impact across the world. I look forward to supporting the organization's growth in influence and value on all fronts."

Hamada has nearly three decades of experience with Phoenix-based Avnet, one of the world's largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology. He joined the company in 1983 as a technical specialist and spent the next several years learning and working his way up through a number of positions including field sales representative, computer sales manager, sales unit director, regional sales manager, area vice president, and vice president of business development for Open Systems. In 2006, he was appointed chief operating officer (COO) and later advanced to COO and president of Avnet, Inc. in 2010. He was named Avnet chief executive officer in February 2011, effective July 4, 2011, and was concurrently elected to Avnet's Board of Directors.

Twice named one of Computer Reseller News' "Top 25 Most Influential Channel Executives," Hamada holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from San Diego State University.

About The Global Technology Distribution Council
Founded in 1998, the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) is a worldwide industry association dedicated to defining and promoting the role of wholesale distribution in a successful and healthy information technology channel. The Council is comprised of the computer industry's top wholesale distributors dedicated to serving "the channel," a network of skilled value-added resellers and retail stores focused on providing hardware, software, and services to businesses and consumers around the globe. GTDC members include AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), ABC Data, ALSO-Actebis (SIX: ALSN), DCC SerCom, Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), Avnet (NYSE: AVT), Brightstar, Computer Gross Italia, Computerlinks, Copaco N.V., D&H, Esprinet (PRT.MI), Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM), Intcomex, Magirus AG, Officer Distribuidora, Redington (BSE: REDI), SiS Technologies (HKSE: 0529), ScanSource (NASDAQ: SCSC), SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), Tech Data (NASDAQ: TECD), 20:20 Mobile Group, Westcoast LTD and Westcon.