- Avnet Technology Solutions' Alison Challman and Cheryl Neal were recognized by CRN Magazine as two of the top Women of the Channel for their accomplishments over the past year and influence in the technology industry. - Challman led efforts to assess new growth opportunities and expand Avnet's SolutionsPath offerings into new vertical markets. Neal recruited new supplier agreements and accelerated growth of vertical sales. - The recognition highlights the important leadership and contributions of women in technology vendor organizations, distributors, and solution provider organizations.

1. Press release cannot be issued before July 26, 2010 @ 9:00 AM<br />Contacts <br />Sonia BovioJillian Aaronson<br />Brodeur Partners, for Avnet Everything Channel<br />(602) 224-4048 (516) 562-7847<br />sbovio@brodeur.com Jillian.aaronson@ec.ubm.com<br />Avnet Technology Solutions’ Challman and Neal Recognized by Everything Channel’s CRN Magazine as Two of the Top Women of the Channel <br />Tempe, Ariz. -- July 26, 2010 – Avnet Technology Solutions, the solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT); today announced that both Alison Challman, director of strategic marketing; and Cheryl Neal, director of marketing for Technology Infrastructure Solutions, have been recognized by Everything Channel’s CRN Magazine as two of the top Women of the Channel. CRN’s annual list recognizes female executives across vendors’ channel organizations, distributors and solution providers for their accomplishments over the past year and the far-reaching impact they have on the technology industry going forward. This year’s Women of the Channel were chosen by the editors of CRN Magazine based on their achievements as executives and the amount of influence they wield over the technology channel. <br />Challman’s efforts in assessing new growth opportunities and selecting markets that warrant investment and development were a key asset to Avnet’s growth in North America. She led her team as Avnet expanded its SolutionsPath® offerings into new vertical markets, which included using both internal and external communication campaigns. Challman also helped Avnet define its marketplace value proposition and go-to-market plans in order to evangelize its leadership position within solutions distribution. In her role, Challman also formed new solutions marketing functions and was instrumental in marketing launches for new SolutionsPath practices and offerings, including Avnet’s SolutionsPath Playbooks, advisor services, CloudReady™ initiative and NetworkPath™ practice. Avnet’s SolutionsPath practices are achieving double-digit growth, driven by expansive marketing both to sales associates and partners. <br />Over the past year, Neal has recruited and signed new Technology Infrastructure Solutions supplier agreements with Riverbed, PGP and CommVault, significantly expanding Avnet Technology Solutions’ offerings in North America. By aligning supplier brands with the technology and vertical strategies within SolutionsPath, Neal has accelerated the growth of vertical sales for her group’s suppliers and partners. Neal also worked with NetApp to drive demand and sell solutions into the mid-size enterprise market. She developed and directed her team in the production of a demand generation campaign that played a significant role in driving NetApp’s Avnet sales growth. More than 200 Avnet reseller partners became certified to sell NetApp solutions, and NetApp considers Avnet’s training and demand generation program best in class and will be working with Avnet to expand this program to other solutions and market opportunities.<br />“Women hold many prominent executive positions at vendor organizations, distributors and solution provider organizations, providing critical insight and influence when it comes to technology and the channel. We want to honor and congratulate these women for their contributions to the industry and their respective organizations,” said Kelley Damore, vice president, editorial director, Everything Channel. <br />“Alison and Cheryl bring outstanding value to Avnet Technology Solutions through their innovative approach to helping our partners and suppliers achieve profitable growth,” said Jeff Bawol, president, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. “They are creative and strategic thinkers that know how to design and implement effective channel programs. We applaud CRN for recognizing their influence and congratulate them on this distinction.”<br />A special feature of the Women of the Channel is in the July issue of CRN Magazine and expanded coverage will be featured online at www.crn.com.<br />About Avnet Technology Solutions <br />As a global solutions distributor, Avnet Technology Solutions collaborates with its customers and suppliers to create and deliver effective solutions that address the business challenges of their end-user customers locally and around the world. For fiscal year 2009, the group served customers in more than 30 countries and generated US $7.04 billion in annual revenue. Avnet Technology Solutions (www.ats.avnet.com) is an operating group of Avnet, Inc. <br />Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 27, 2009, Avnet generated revenue of $16.23 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com. <br />Everything Channel <br />Everything Channel is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With over 30 years of experience and engagement, Everything Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives managing partner recruitment, enablement and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. Everything Channel is a UBM company. To learn more about Everything Channel, visit us at http://www.everythingchannel.com.<br />About United Business Media Limited (www.unitedbusinessmedia.com)UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM’s businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists – with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.<br />###<br />