Avnet Names Ed Smith Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas President

February 17, 2009

Avnet Names Ed Smith Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas President 10.7 KB

PHOENIX, Feb 17, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Avnet Electronics Marketing operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) announces the appointment of Ed Smith as president of Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, effective immediately.

In his new role, Smith will be responsible for the Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas business region and will report directly to Harley Feldberg, president of Avnet Electronics Marketing globally. "Ed brings a high level of energy, passion and industry experience to this position - which is a powerful combination," Feldberg said. "His diverse background and proven success in the Americas market will serve us, and our partners, well going forward."

Smith has been senior vice president of sales for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas since 2004. Before that, he served as president and chief executive officer of SMTEK, International, an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider. He also served on the board of directors at SMTEK. Prior to SMTEK, Smith spent eight years at Avnet, where he held various sales and operational positions, including district manager for the Los Angeles and Phoenix marketplaces and director of sales for Avnet's Industrial Marketing Group. Smith's career began with W.W. Grainger. In 2008, he was recognized by the National Electronic Distributors Association (NEDA) with its Distinguished Service Award. He was a recipient of the Avnet, Inc. Chairman's Award in 2007.

During his tenure in California, he served as a board member of the American Red Cross of Ventura County; in addition he currently runs the We Will Never Forget Foundation. He resides in Phoenix.

Smith succeeds Philip Gallagher, a 26-year Avnet veteran who held the role since July 2004. Gallagher has been promoted to Avnet Technology Solutions global president, effective March 2.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. that serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers in more than 70 countries, distributing electronic components from leading manufacturers and providing associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The group's Web site is located at www.em.avnet.com. Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com. (AVT_IR)

SOURCE: Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing
Jody Janusch LaRoque, Public Relations, 480-643-2547
jody.janusch@avnet.com