Arrow Electronics Taps Sean Kerins As The Distributor’s New CEO
“I am honored to lead this company into the future,” says Kerins in a statement. “It truly has been a privilege to work with Mike and the talented Arrow team for the past almost 15 years. I look forward to our continued focus on driving profitable growth and value creation for our shareholders, suppliers, customers, and employees.”
Arrow Electronics has tapped Sean J. Kerins, currently chief operating officer at the giant electronics distributor, to take over as president and CEO effective June 1. Kerins will replace current chairman, president and CEO Michael J. Long who will become executive chairman of Arrow’s board of directors.
Kerins will also join the Arrow board of directors following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 11.
Kerins has had a 15-year career at Centennial, Colo.-based Arrow and has served as the company’s COO since December 2020. Previously he served as president of Arrow’s global enterprise computing solutions business starting in 2014, and prior to that was president of the North American region for that business. Before joining Arrow in 2007, Kerins spent ten years at EMC in sales and professional services roles, held senior roles at Coopers & Lybrand Consulting, and was an industrial engineer at General Motors.
“I am honored to lead this company into the future,” said Kerins in a statement Arrow issued Monday. “It truly has been a privilege to work with Mike and the talented Arrow team for the past almost 15 years. I look forward to our continued focus on driving profitable growth and value creation for our shareholders, suppliers, customers, and employees.”
Kerins has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
“Sean’s leadership and proven track record at Arrow make him the ideal executive to succeed Mike Long,” Barry W. Perry, lead independent director of the Arrow board of directors, said in the statement. “Our commitment to multi-year succession planning provides continuity for our shareholders, customers, suppliers, and employees.”
“Further, we are pleased Mike will become executive chairman of the Arrow board of directors ensuring his decades-long leadership and mentorship at Arrow and extraordinary performance as chairman, president and CEO continue to inform Arrow’s strategy for the benefit of our shareholders,” added Perry.
In a statement, Long said it was an “honor” to work with an “exceptional team” at Arrow over the course of his career. Long has been Arrow’s CEO since May 2009.
Arrow declined to comment further when reached by CRN. While Arrow did not specify a reason for the management change, Long alluded to it in the company statement.
“Talent and succession management are central to our strategy. After a thoughtful and multi-year succession process, I am delighted Sean has been named president and CEO,” Long said. “I am confident in his leadership to guide Arrow into the future, and I look forward to continuing to serve on the Arrow board of directors.”