GTDC Announces New Members, Appointment of Avnet CEO Rick Hamada as Vice Chairman


ST. PETERSBURG, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 29, 2011) - The Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) today announced the addition of two new members -- Copaco and Brightstar -- and the appointment of Rick Hamada, CEO of Avnet, as the organization's vice chairman. Hamada's role with the GTDC includes helping lead the strategic direction of this industry association for the world's leading technology distributors, which annually generate more than $100 billion in worldwide product and services revenue.

Hamada has more than 28 years of experience with Phoenix-based Avnet, one of the world's largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology, spanning from his early career as a technical specialist to leading a multi-billion dollar sales and marketing organization. He was named Avnet Chief Executive Officer in February 2011, effective July 4, 2011, and was concurrently elected to Avnet's Board of Directors.

"We are very pleased to have someone with Rick's industry knowledge and insight serving in this additional capacity at the GTDC," commented Tim Curran, the GTDC's CEO. "He is very well regarded by our members across the world, and we look forward to his engagement and contributions on our executive committee."

The GTDC's newest members exemplify the international growth and diversified business models that the organization represents today:

Brightstar, Corp. (Miami, Fla.)
Brightstar is a leading global services company focused on enhancing the performance and profitability of the key participants in the wireless device "value chain": manufacturers, operators, retailers and enterprises.

Copaco NV (Eindhoven, Netherlands)
Copaco distributes information and communication technology (ICT) products in the Benelux nations and France, including computers, printers, networking, storage, mobile solutions, software, industrial and consumer electronics.

For more information on the GTDC, its members and executive committee, visit www.gtdc.org.

About The Global Technology Distribution Council
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. AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), ABC Data, ALSO-Actebis (SIX: ALSN), Altimate Group/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.

Contact Information:

GTDC MEDIA CONTACT:
Chuck Miller
(727) 939-1562