CRN Selects Two Avnet Technology Solutions Executives as 2013 Channel Chiefs

Avnet’s Phil Gallagher and Jeff Bawol recognized for their ability to accelerate growth for Avnet and its channel partners

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today announced that Phil Gallagher, president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Global, and Jeff Bawol, president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas, were both chosen as 2013 Channel Chiefs by UBM Tech Channel’s CRN magazine. This prestigious list consists of the most influential and powerful leaders in the IT channel. It recognizes executives directly responsible for driving channel sales and growth within their organizations while evangelizing the value the channel provides the IT industry.

“Phil embodies Avnet’s strategic focus on growth, globalization and great people”

Named to the list for the first time in 2013, Gallagher was honored for his role in helping suppliers and partners expand their businesses geographically, while capitalizing on technology growth markets and services. Gallagher significantly enhanced Avnet’s services capabilities in the Americas and EMEA in 2012 through the acquisitions of Ascendant Technology, BrightStar Partners, Canvas Systems, Genilogix, Mattelli, Pepperweed Consulting and TSSLink. These acquisitions provided new ways for partners to support their customers in the IT lifecycle while further driving hardware and software sales. Gallagher also increased Avnet Technology Solutions’ ability to expand its partner and supplier base in EMEA through the acquisition of Magirus Group. Additionally, under Gallagher’s leadership, Avnet introduced its SolutionsPath^® methodology in Asia Pacific and EMEA, providing channel enablement and resources for partners to profitably target high-growth technology and vertical market opportunities.

“Phil embodies Avnet’s strategic focus on growth, globalization and great people,” said Rick Hamada, chief executive officer, Avnet, Inc. “Being named a Channel Chief is well-deserved recognition of his ability to lead the global team in helping Avnet and our partners capitalize on high-growth market opportunities. His leadership is definitely an asset for the entire Avnet team and channel, including our suppliers, partners and employees.”

CRN selected Bawol as a Channel Chief for the third time, further recognizing his role in transforming Avnet into a solutions distributor that is uniquely positioned to help suppliers and partners achieve profitable growth. Under Bawol’s leadership, Avnet was selected to bring Oracle’s Healthcare Information Exchange and Oracle Enterprise Healthcare Analytics solutions to the U.S. and Canadian channel because of Avnet’s proven ability to develop and foster an ecosystem of highly-skilled healthcare IT solution provider partners. Bawol also continued to expand Avnet’s sales and technical support for partners around converged solutions, such as those based on Cisco, EMC, HP, IBM, NetApp and VMware technologies. In addition, Bawol sponsored Avnet’s investment in the tools and resources needed to help partners successfully target the cloud computing market in the U.S. and Canada. As a result, Avnet launched Avnet Cloud Solutions, a team dedicated to developing off-premise cloud computing solutions, and entered into strategic relationships with leading cloud service providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Savvis.

“Jeff is a terrific asset to our organization, as well as a strong advocate for our partners and suppliers,” said fellow CRN Channel Chief Phil Gallagher. “His passion for innovation and his role in evolving the distribution industry to the next level is core to all of his achievements. Because of Jeff’s approach to solutions distribution, our suppliers and partners have realized long-term success through market specialization and are strategically poised throughout the Americas to capitalize on the latest opportunities in cloud computing, converged systems and services.”

For more than 10 years, Channel Chiefs have been selected by the CRN editorial team based on channel experience, program innovations, channel-driven revenue and public support for the importance of IT channel sales.

“The 2013 Channel Chiefs list recognizes vendor and distribution executives dedicated to driving channel programs in the IT marketplace,” said Kelley Damore, senior vice president, editorial director, CRN. “Our annual Channel Chiefs issue is a must-read for IT solution providers evaluating new vendors or looking to expand solution offerings. These are the people, the products and the programs that any savvy solution provider needs to know. We congratulate this year’s Channel Chiefs for their stellar record of business innovation and applaud them for their continued dedication to the partner community.”

Selected by CRN's editorial staff, the 2013 Channel Chiefs list is featured in the February 2013 issue of CRN magazine and will be featured online at www.crn.com.

Follow Avnet Technology Solutions, Global on Twitter: @AvnetTSGlobal.
Follow Avnet Technology Solutions, North America, on Twitter: @AvnetAdvantage and @AvnetTSChannels.

About UBM Tech Channel

UBM Tech Channel, a UBM company, is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With over 30 years of experience and engagement, UBM Tech Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives managing partner recruitment, enablement and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. To learn more about UBM Tech Channel, visit us at: www.ubmchannel.com.

About Avnet Technology Solutions

As a global IT solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver services, software and hardware solutions that address the business needs of their end-user customers locally and around the world. The group serves customers and suppliers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa. It generated US $10.8 billion in annual revenue for fiscal year 2012. Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

About Avnet

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet generated revenue of $25.7 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.