Avnet expanded its executive board with three new appointments as part of its strategy to drive growth and speed up transformation.
Peter Bartolotta has joined Avnet in the new role of chief transformation officer. He most recently served as the CEO of Terra Point and MD Toxicology Group.
He will oversee the transformational and operational aspects of Avnet’s business to enable growth, deliver superior customer experience, and optimize efficiency, productivity and cost.
Therese Bassett has been promoted to the newly created role of chief strategy, innovation and M&A officer. She will work with Avnet’s internal business units to identify growth opportunities to enhance the company’s overall business portfolio, financial strength and global market value.
Michael O’Neill joined the company as general counsel and chief legal officer. Before joining Avnet, O’Neill served as vice president and chief legal officer at Canadian Helicopter Corporation.
Finally, Kevin Sellers has been named chief marketing officer after joining Avnet one year ago as vice president of corporate marketing and communications.
In his expanded role, Sellers is responsible for Avnet’s global marketing and communications function which includes brand strategy and management, as well as digital marketing, advertising, demand generation, social media and communications.
They will be reporting to Avnet CEO William Amelio, who said, “Now is the perfect time to align Avnet’s executive team with our long-term strategy to be the premier design and supply chain leader with the broadest portfolio of offerings.”
These executive appointments are the latest in a series of strategic decisions to transform Avnet’s business.
Earlier this week, Avnet announced a majority interest in Hackster.io, an online community that helps users learn how to design, create and program Internet-connected hardware, supporting a network of 200,000 engineers, makers and hobbyists.
Recently Avnet acquired Premier Farnell, enabling the company to reach engineers earlier in the design cycle, which is where innovators and startups play an increasingly larger role in product development.
Avnet also announced the divestiture of its Technology Solutions business to Tech Data, which will give the company a singular focus on the electronic components market when completed.