Avnet named Kevin Summers its chief information officer on December 6, 2016. He reported to CEO William “Bill” J. Amelio and was responsible for global IT strategy and the company’s enterprise-effectiveness initiative. Summers succeeded Steve Phillips, who left Avnet after 11 years.
Why Avnet appointed Kevin Summers
The appointment came as Avnet was transforming its business after acquiring Premier Farnell and Hackster.io. Avnet said information technology was central to serving customers throughout the product lifecycle. Amelio described IT as critical to the business strategy and said Summers would develop a roadmap intended to distinguish Avnet as a technology leader.
The priorities named in the announcement included applying cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and big-data analytics to e-commerce, supply-chain and retail-sales operations. Summers said he would work with Avnet’s IT team and business leaders on digital transformation and the technology supply chain.
Summers’ background
Avnet said Summers had more than 25 years of experience leading technology organizations. His previous CIO roles included H&R Block, Lowe’s, Whirlpool and The Coca-Cola Company; he had also held senior executive positions at AT&T and GE.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
Who succeeded Summers as Avnet CIO?
Avnet promoted Max Chan to CIO on July 18, 2019. Chan had led global information solutions since November 2018, and Avnet assigned him responsibility for all IT areas, strategic business IT and digital-transformation initiatives.
Avnet’s leadership biography says Chan leads IT, cybersecurity, digital strategy and transformation. The company’s 2025 proxy lists Leng Jin (Max) Chan as senior vice president and CIO as of September 22, 2025, and says he has served as CIO since 2019 and senior vice president since 2021.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
How the 2016 and 2019 appointments differed
| Detail | Kevin Summers, 2016 | Max Chan, 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | December 6, 2016 | July 18, 2019 |
| Reporting line | Reported to CEO William (Bill) J. Amelio. | Not stated in Avnet’s 2019 announcement. |
| Predecessor or prior role | Succeeded Steve Phillips, who left Avnet after 11 years. | Had led global information solutions since November 2018; the announcement did not identify a predecessor. |
| Scope | Global IT strategy and the enterprise-effectiveness initiative. | All IT areas across Avnet, strategic business IT and digital-transformation initiatives. |
| Prior experience stated by Avnet | More than 25 years leading technology organizations; prior CIO roles at H&R Block, Lowe’s, Whirlpool and The Coca-Cola Company, plus senior executive positions at AT&T and GE. | Not stated in the 2019 announcement. |
| Stated priorities | Develop an IT roadmap and apply cloud computing, IoT solutions and big-data analytics to e-commerce, supply chain and retail sales. | Strategic business IT and digital transformation; later, Avnet described Chan’s remit as including IT, cybersecurity and digital strategy. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
