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The day Roy Vallee was "discovered" in 1988 would prove to be the day that Avnet Inc. would embark on a quiet transformation that would eventually make it one of the biggest names in electronics distribution.
Vallee, who at the time was a vice president of Hamilton/Avnet, an Avnet unit, was giving a speech at a Motorola sales meeting at the Sheraton in Scottsdale, Ariz. Among the attendees was Avnet chairman and chief executive Leon Machiz, who inadvertently mistook Vallee for a Motorola employee. Noting Vallee's poise and insightful commentary, Machiz turned to Brian Hilton, director of Motorola's semiconductor world marketing, and saiD:"That's one impressive guy you've got. We'd like to hire him," Hilton recalled.
Machiz quickly put Vallee on the corporate fast track at that time, promoting him to president of Hamilton/Avnet Computer, and then to president of Hamilton/Avnet Electronics, director of electronics operations, and senior vice president of Avnet.
In 1992, Vallee hit full stride when he was named vice chairman, president, and chief operating officer of Avnet.
Since Vallee became president, the company has grown at a record rate. In fiscal year...