CRN Interview: Tech Data's Raymund Addresses CEO Search

Tech Data Chairman and CEO Steve Raymund gave an update on the search for his successor as CEO and shed light on the Clearwater, Fla.-based distributor's struggles in Europe in an interview with Distribution Editor Scott Campbell. Here are excerpts.

CRN: During Tech Data's second-quarter earnings call with analysts, you mentioned that news regarding the new CEO could be a couple of weeks away. Can you provide more detail on where the CEO search stands?

RAYMUND: I don't really have any more. We are where we are in the process. After eight months, hopefully we will have it done shortly.

CRN: Have there been any challenges in the CEO search process that you didn't anticipate?

RAYMUND: I would say the biggest issue is logistics. Obviously, this isn't a decision that Steve Raymund makes on his own. The entire board plays a role, as much as selecting a CEO could be their most important function. We've got eight members on our board, which doesn't make it easy to arrange interviews.

CRN: Do you think Tech Data's financial results the past couple quarters have made it more difficult to find a successor to run the company?

RAYMUND: We've had a crop of some strongly qualified and interested candidates, [so] I don't think so. There could be some people who could say, 'No, it's too much work.' But other people might recognize that if we push this recovery forward, there's that much more upside.

CRN: Europe remains Tech Data's biggest challenge, in terms of performance from a specific region. Why has that been a problem?

RAYMUND: In Europe, it's primarily because we've had so much change. We have new IT systems, we had a restructuring, we made warehouse moves, we had the acquisition and merger with Azlan. When you add it all up, in retrospect, there were too many things in too short a time.

CRN: Do you feel the company has been more deliberate in selecting a new CEO because Tech Data has been your baby--your family's baby--for more than 20 years?

RAYMUND: I think that the board is exercising care and consideration independent of my tenure with the company or the fact that I'm a founder.