Electronics and technology solutions distributor Avnet, Inc. announced a leadership transition for its Avnet Electronics Marketing business unit, promoting Gerry Fay to global president, effective October 1. Fay will replace Harley Feldberg, a 30-year Avnet veteran who has served as Avnet EM’s global president since 2004.
“Gerry has a proven track record of success and an in-depth knowledge of Avnet's global business,” Hamada said in a statement announcing the change this week. “In working with Gerry I have come to appreciate his action-oriented approach and thoughtful contributions to Avnet’s strategies. I believe he has the right mix of leadership skills and experience that make him an ideal choice to lead Avnet Electronics Marketing globally.”
Fay joined Avnet in 2005 with the distributor’s acquisition of electronic component distributor Memec, where he served as president of Memec Americas. He has held a variety of positions within Avnet, currently serving as chief logistics and global operations officer, responsible for global warehousing, semiconductor programming, computer and integration center services and operations, and global trade compliance and enterprise-wide risk mitigation.
Avnet said Feldberg will remain with the company to assist in the leadership transition. Feldberg was promoted to global president of Avnet EM in 2004 after serving in a variety of sales, marketing and management roles beginning in 1981. Avnet cited Feldberg’s personal decision to leave the company.
“We will miss Harley’s combination of both strategic insight and focused execution that has contributed significantly to Avnet’s growth and global leadership in the always dynamic world of electronic components distribution,” said Hamada, who was promoted to CEO of the company in 2011, succeeding longtime company leader Roy Vallee. “However we understand and respect his personal decision to step out of his role at this time.”
With 2012 sales of $25 billion, Avnet ranked number one in Global Purchasing’s 2013 Top 50 Electronics Distributors list for the third consecutive year.
