Distribution Executives Discuss Their Exits, Futures

Anna McDermott, senior vice president of customer engagement for Avnet Technology Solutions, and Gary Brothers, president of D&H Distributing, will be stepping down from their respective positions within the month. Scott Campbell, assistant news editor at Everything Channel, recently spoke separately with the executives about their legacies and where they think the industry is headed. The following are excerpts from the conversations:

Brothers says the building blocks are in place at D&H for continued growth after he leaves.

What is the background of your decision to step down?

We had made the company-wide announcement back on Feb. 1, that I planned to exit at the end of the fiscal year and Michael [Schwab] and Dan [Schwab] would be co-presidents. They both got elevated up and we promoted other people up. We got everything set in place for the transition.

Are you going to have any role with the company after May?

I will carry a title of president emeritus. I will stay in a somewhat active capacity, but I will not be active day to day. It will be more special assignment things for Dan and Michael going forward. If I stayed day to day, people would think nothing had changed.

Why did you decide that this was the right time to step aside?

I made a decision I thought was appropriate. The [Schwab] boys are ready. It's not that I'm not going to do other things, but I'm not out looking for a job. I'm not sure what's on the other side, but I'm going to find out.

How long have you been with D&H?

Thirty five years. I'm sure you can appreciate, walking away is never easy, walking away from something after 35 years is especially difficult. But a good executive knows when his time has arrived. The timing is right to do other things, and for Michael and Dan to take control.

With co-presidents taking over, can you talk about what the strengths of both Dan and Michael are?

Michael is responsible for the purchasing side. Dan is responsible for marketing. Dan is more the sales, marketing personality. Michael more leans towards operations and warehousing and payables. Both of them have strengths and are truly complementary to one another. I believe that the two of them are totally prepared to take over as co-presidents. Their responsibility is to guide D&H to become more significant channel player, while keeping in the culture and tradition that we have had for last 90 years.

If I'm a VAR, what kinds of changes can I expect to see from the transition?

I expect the company to continue growing as we have, for the last 10 years in particular. We will continue to execute for vendors and provide excellent customer service. I would anticipate our role as a channel provider will keep evolving and our value will keep increasing. In terms of what VARs may notice, nothing. It will be business as usual. I would tell you the business is on a solid foundation. The building blocks are in place to keep driving forward. And I will be an interested observer for the next few years.

What are your plans after May 1?

I'll definitely keep in touch with what's happening in the channel. I'll have some activities for D&H, but I'm gong to do some things like keep myself healthy, spend more time with my family, work on my golf game. Mary Ellen and I will get more involved in charity work. Time will tell. I'm not totally sure what's on the other side of easing back, but I'm excited about finding out.

Next: Anna McDermott - New Opportunities Await Channel