Monday, May 11, 2009

Jim Estill Appointed As President and CEO of Nu Horizons

My new challenge has been press released. Beginning June 1, I will be moving to Long Island to become the President and CEO of Nu Horizons Electronics. Nu Horizons is a Nasdaq listed (NUHC) global distributor. More details about Nu Horizons Electronics below or on their web site.

Full Press Release:

Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. Names New President and Chief Executive Officer
Current CEO to remain as Executive Chairman Current President to remain as Senior Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer

MELVILLE, NY - May 11, 2009 - Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. (NASDAQ:NUHC), a leading global distributor of advanced technology semiconductor, display, illumination, power and system solutions, today announced that James Estill has been appointed as the company's president and chief executive officer effective June 1, 2009. As of that date, Arthur Nadata, currently the company's chairman and chief executive officer, will serve as the company's executive chairman and Richard Schuster, currently the company's president and chief operating officer, will serve as senior executive vice president and remain as chief operating officer. According to Arthur Nadata, "After a long search for a chief executive officer who would compliment our existing management team, we are pleased that Jim Estill has agreed to join Nu Horizons as its president and CEO. We believe that Jim's prior experience as president and CEO of SYNNEX Canada, a company with over $1 billion in annual sales, together with his experience as a founder of EMJ Data Systems Limited, which he grew to over CDN$300 million in revenue before its sale to SYNNEX, will enable Nu Horizons to improve significantly its position as a leading demand creation distributor in the electronics distribution marketplace. In addition, Jim also serves on the Board of Directors of Research in Motion Limited, a position he has held since 1997."

"Both Richard Schuster and I will continue to be involved in, and remain committed to, Nu Horizons, a company which we founded in 1982 and have grown to almost $750 million in sales. Nevertheless, recognizing that a fresh perspective would be invaluable in this challenging economic environment, as well as assist the company's board of directors in its succession planning, we started a search for someone who ideally would have both an entrepreneurial background and the ability to manage a large organization. We are delighted that Jim satisfies both criteria. We believe that by adding Jim to our existing management team, Nu Horizons will be able to continue to build on its competitive position in the global marketplace and come through these difficult economic times as a stronger company."

In connection with Mr. Estill's employment as president and chief executive officer, he will be granted 360,000 inducement stock options. The stock options will have an exercise price equal to the greater of $2.00 per share or the closing stock price on the trading day preceding the effective date of his employment; a term of 10 years from the date of grant; and will vest in three traunches of 120,000 shares depending on the duration of Mr. Estill's employment and the achievement of a targeted stock price. However, all of the stock options will automatically become fully exercisable in the event of a sale or change of control of the Company and will become fully-vested on the ninth anniversary of the date of grant provided that Mr. Estill is still employed by the Company on such date.

About Nu Horizons Electronics Corp.Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. is a leading global distributor of advanced technology semiconductor, display, illumination, power and system solutions to a wide variety of commercial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Electronic Manufacturing Services providers (EMS). With sales facilities in 54 locations across North America, Europe and Asia and regional logistics centers throughout the globe, Nu Horizons partners with a limited number of best-in-class suppliers to provide in-depth product development, custom logistics and life-cycle support to its customers. Information on Nu Horizons and its services is available at http://www.nuhorizons.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Nu Horizons or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of Nu Horizons' management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to its management. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward looking-statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include such factors as the level of business and consumer spending for electronic products, the amount of sales of the company's products, the competitive environment within the electronics industry, the ability of the company to continue to expand its operations, the level of costs incurred in connection with the company's expansion efforts, the financial strength of the company's customers and suppliers, the current economic and credit crisis and risks and costs related to the pending Vitesse-related SEC internal investigation. Investors are also directed to consider other risks, costs and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements reflect our current view with respect to the future and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to Nu Horizons' financial condition, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The company does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

15 Comments:

At 9:17 PM, Blogger Gary Will said...

"After a long search for a chief executive officer who would compliment our existing management team"

Well, there's a great straight line ... although I'm pretty sure they meant "complement" :-) Good luck with the new job!

 
At 10:15 PM, Blogger David said...

Its exciting to read this news Jim - congrats on the new position and welcome to the neighborhood! LI and NYC are full of great energies, I'm sure you'll love it here.

Dave

 
At 8:26 AM, Anonymous Kevin said...

Congratulations! Good News for the Nu Horizons firm.

 
At 8:33 AM, Anonymous Jim Stechyson said...

Congratulations Jim! Enjoy your new challenge and the next chapter!

 
At 9:34 AM, Blogger George Torok said...

Jim,

Congrats on the new role. Nice signing bonus. Keep blogging.

George

 
At 9:34 AM, Blogger Ron said...

Jim,

Congratulations!!! Looks like an exciting opportunity.Looking forward to seeing you in SC. Let us know when you are coming.

ron

 
At 11:32 AM, Anonymous Curtis Joynt said...

Congrats and good luck. Looks like you're not ready to shy away from a challenge.

 
At 5:01 PM, Anonymous Mic Berman said...

Congratulations Jim - trust you will enjoy the new challenges :)

 
At 8:30 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jim!

I just found you leadership blog and I look forward to following your continued success!

Capt. Ben

 
At 8:32 PM, Anonymous Capt. Ben said...

Congratulations Jim!

I just found your leadership blog and I look forward to following your future successes and mentorship!

 
At 2:46 AM, Blogger Rick Spence said...

Sorry to see you leaving town, Jim. Congrats on the new challenge, and don't forget us in the big city.

Rick

 
At 8:29 AM, Blogger FRANCESCA said...

First Reaction: OMG , he's leaving the Royal City!

Second: WOW, congrats!

 
At 11:51 AM, Blogger congrats said...

Congrats Jim ... like many, I hope you will continue to write your blog, as a new reader I did purchased the book "don't bring it to the office" or something like that? Thank you for listing this book. I mostly read fundraising manuals and fun novels ... saying that, I do enjoy a good business book and self improvement book … so I hope you do not become too busy to write on your blog - take care. Patti

 
At 8:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jim - many congrats to you and your family! Lisa

 
At 1:25 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Sounds interesting, but... Long Island?

 

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