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Telecommunications equipment industry

Tech Industry Leaders Make Key Moves in Florida

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the Florida tech industry continues to grow and expand, key leaders have made significant moves, signaling the state's position as a major player in the national market. Steve Raymund, chairman and chief executive officer of Tech Data Corp., has been appointed chairman of the management board of Computer 2000 AG, the European distributor acquired by Tech Data earlier this year. Meanwhile, Tampa businessman John Sykes has pledged $5 million to Queens College, the largest gift in the school's history.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steve Raymund, chairman and chief executive officer of Tech Data Corp., has been named chairman of the management board of Computer 2000 AG, replacing Walter von Szczytnicki.
  • Gerald Labie, president of Tech Data Europe, has joined the management board of Computer 2000 AG.
  • Anthony Ibarguen, president and chief operating officer of Tech Data, and Jeffery Howells, chief financial officer and executive vice president, have joined Computer 2000's supervisory board.
  • John Sykes, president and chief executive officer of Sykes Enterprises Inc., has pledged $5 million to Queens College, the largest gift in the school's history.
  • Poe & Brown Inc. of Tampa has acquired Jerry F. Nichols & Associates Inc. of Naples and Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Co. of Fort Lauderdale.
  • Supra Telecommunications and Information Systems has aligned with Paradyne Corp. to offer high-speed Internet access in BellSouth's territory in South Florida.
  • ECC International Corp. will relocate its headquarters, staff, and Instructional Systems Development Group to its existing Orlando manufacturing center.
  • CHS Electronics Inc. will buy four European personal-computer subsidiaries of Germany's Metro AG for about $320 million.
  • National retail same-store sales in June rose 2.4 percent from a year ago, with a 3.4% increase in the Southeast and 6.1% in Florida.
  • United Video Satellite Group Inc. has offered to buy Gemstar International Group Ltd. for $45 a share, or about $2.8 billion.
  • Chancellor Media Corp. will buy LIN Television Corp. for $1.72 billion in stock and assumed debt.

Statistics:

  • $5 million: The amount pledged by John Sykes to Queens College.
  • 2.4%: The increase in national retail same-store sales in June from a year ago.
  • 6.1%: The increase in national retail same-store sales in Florida from a year ago.
  • $320 million: The amount CHS Electronics Inc. will pay for four European personal-computer subsidiaries.
  • $2.8 billion: The approximate value of United Video Satellite Group Inc.'s offer to buy Gemstar International Group Ltd.
  • $1.72 billion: The amount Chancellor Media Corp. will pay for LIN Television Corp.

Sources:

  • "Raymund takes helm" - Tech Data Corp. press release, date not specified.
  • "Sykes makes donation" - Queens College press release, date not specified.
  • "More agencies acquired" - Poe & Brown Inc. press release, date not specified.
  • "Supra, Paradyne team up" - Supra Telecommunications and Information Systems press release, date not specified.
  • "FLORIDA ECC relocates to Orlando" - ECC International Corp. press release, date not specified.
  • "CHS expands in Europe" - CHS Electronics Inc. press release, date not specified.
  • "NATION Retail sales increase" - TeleCheck Services Inc. press release, date not specified.
  • "Offer for VCR Plus maker" - United Video Satellite Group Inc. press release, date not specified.
  • "Chancellor buys LIN" - Chancellor Media Corp. press release, date not specified.

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