Richard Hamada: Avnet CEO

Richard Hamada earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Diego State University. He got his job at Avnet where he is now the CEO by complaining and he was very vocal about his complaint. He wasn’t employed by the company at that time but was a customer. Richard experienced bad service from the company and he told them exactly how he felt. Avnet eventually offered him a job.

When he started working he wanted his new employers to know that he wasn’t going to be just a salesman; he wanted his client companies to understand what they were getting and how it worked.

Reaching the top post did not happen overnight. It took almost 30 years to get there. Richard joined Hamilton/Avnet Electronics in 1983 as a technical specialist in San Diego. Along the way he gained exposure in sales and marketing. Richard was also a field sales representative, computer sales manager, sales unit director, regional sales manager, area vice president, and vice president of business development for Open Systems.

He was the global president of Avnet Computer Marketing before becoming global president of Avnet Technology Solutions. This is the operating group that was formed in 2003 with the internal integration of two formerly independent business groups, Avnet Computer Marketing and Avnet Applied Computing. From $4 billion at its inception Avnet Technology Solutions grew to almost $5 billion in 2006, exceeding the return on capital employed (ROCE) goals set for the group.

Richard was later promoted to chief operating officer in July 2006 and named president and chief operating officer in May 2010. He played a major role in improving the company’s performance-and values-based culture of excellence at the same time helping the firm realize outstanding results.

On July 2011 Richard was named Chief Executive Officer and concurrently elected to Avnet’s Board of Directors.

Avnet is a global company being one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology. It serves an important link in the technology supply chain.