Top Executives Appointed to Manage Hall-Mark Global Solutions.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 1999--

Hall-Mark Global Solutions, an emerging worldwide value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, software and services, has announced the realignment of its sales organization, according to Rick Hamada, executive vice president, sales and marketing, for all North American Operations.

The North American operation, has been segmented into five focused business units for Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Software (including Computer Associates, Oracle, IBM, Platinum and Candle) and Services.

Five company executives have been appointed as general managers of each new unit. They are Chris Swahn, vice president, Compaq; Steve Tepedino, senior vice president, Hewlett-Packard; Sam Malandra, vice president, IBM; and Raymond Fischer, executive vice president, Services.

Hamada takes on the general management role of Software, with George Brookler serving as vice president, sales and marketing of this unit.

Swahn has more than 15 years industry experience, having last served the company as regional vice president responsible for Southwestern, Rocky Mountain and Central regions.

"Compaq and Hall-Mark have enjoyed a tremendous business partnership. Hall-Mark's creation of a Compaq business unit tightens that bond and ensures that our resellers will continue to receive outstanding service and support," Mike Pocock, vice president, US Channel Sales, Compaq Computer Corporation, said.

Tepedino, who previously served as Hall-Mark's senior vice president, North American sales, joined the company in 1984.

"Hewlett-Packard has enjoyed a more than 10-year relationship with Avnet/Hall-Mark. We are delighted to see that they continue to reinvent themselves based upon the ever changing computer solution's distribution marketplace," Leon Kessler, ESSG Channels marketing/distribution manager, Hewlett-Packard Company, said.

"Their creation of Hall-Mark Global Solutions tracks well with Hewlett-Packard's new Channel 2000 direction. This includes a continued emphasis on Value-Add Distribution, with an expanded focus on global presence, as well as full support for e-commerce/e-services resellers.

"Lastly, we are extremely pleased that Hall-Mark Global Solutions will include a Hewlett-Packard dedicated business unit, which will provide support for our mutual resellers in a much more effective, efficient, and profitable manner for all."

Malandra, with more than 17 years experience, joined Hall-Mark Global Solutions with the acquisition of JBA Computer Solutions Division where he was vice president, sales and marketing.

"Hall-Mark Global Solutions is a valued part of IBM's go-to-market strategy for our industry-leading e-business solutions," said Ian Bonner, vice president of marketing, IBM Global Business Partners.

"Their support in providing these solutions through their IBM business unit will continue to add value to business partners and ultimately to end-user business organizations who want to leverage the power of the Internet."

Ray Fischer, a 15-year Hall-Mark/Avnet veteran, rose through the ranks of the organization, most recently as executive vice president of sales and marketing for Hall-Mark Computer Products, North America.

"We have asked Ray with his in-depth industry experience to head up a critical component of our company's future success. The newly formed Services business unit will develop key supply-chain services, such as e-commerce site development, and technical implementation support.

Hall-Mark will in turn provide these channel critical services to both our resellers and our vendors alike," stated Rick Hamada.

George Brookler, a 20-year manufacturer and distribution veteran, has held numerous sales and management positions throughout his career.

"Computer Associates is excited by the positive changes within Hall-Mark and by the creation of Hall-Mark Global Solutions business units," said Wendy Petty, senior vice president, distribution channels at Computer Associates.

"By leveraging the synergies of this relationship, our resellers can continue to benefit from their increased focus on software. As a global solutions distributor, Hall-Mark delivers significant value-added benefits for the full complement of Computer Associates channel products including first-class technical support, dedicated Computer Associates inside and outside sales and marketing resources, and configuration specialists."

Three additional executives will serve on the Hall-Mark Global Solutions North American management staff reporting directly to Rick Hamada.

Sean Fanning, vice president of marketing services, with 22 years of channel experience, has held several key sales and marketing positions within the industry, the past 11 years with Avnet/Hall-Mark.

Steve Piatti, vice president of telesales, has been with Hall-Mark for 10 years. Piatti rose through the sales organization, holding various positions including; account representative, district and regional manager.

James Wing, vice president, country manager, Canada, has held several sales positions including, sales manager, district manager, regional manager and most recently served as regional vice president of the Canadian operation for Hall-Mark Computer Products.

Headquartered in Tempe, Hall-Mark Global Solutions is a $1.4 billion industry-leading, value-added distributor of enterprise computing systems, software and services exclusively to the reseller channel. Hall-Mark Global Solutions is a business unit of Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company. For more information about Hall-Mark, visit its website at: www.hallmark.avnet.com