Ingram Micro Australia vice-president and managing director, Guy Freeland, will exit the distributor at the end of the year. His replacement is Ingram Micro’s New Zealand managing director, Jay Miley.
Miley, a relatively unknown entity in the Australian market, has been the managing director of its New Zealand business since January last year. Originally from California, he joined the distributor in 2000 and was US vice-president of vendor management for just over two years before relocating to NZ.
Miley was unable to comment at time of press. However, New Zealand-based resellers told ARN the incoming Australian chief was a strong operator who had done a great job implementing systematic and staffing changes and had turned the distributor’s business around.
CEO of New Zealand reseller Axon Computer Systems, Scott Green, said Miley was always keen to do a deal and make a difference and was constantly looking for new ways to grow the business.
“Jay has made a positive impact with Ingram Micro here – he’s built strong relationships and engaged the team to do likewise,” Green said. “We’ll be disappointed to lose him, but I imagine he will be of bring a lot of value to the role in Australia.
“Ingram has changed significantly and been more deal and customer focused. Jay has also invested in core systems and people.”
CEO of NZ-based IT and telephony services provider Maclean Computing, Allan Maclean, also praised Miley’s efforts.
“He’s brought a lot of common sense to the business and didn’t leave traditions in place necessarily,” Maclean said. “The staff [at Ingram] have come along with him hugely, which is not always easy when you’re implementing changes.
“Jay looks, listens and acts. There’s less bureaucracy and more action and the executive management team has more relationships with their customers today.”
According to an Ingram statement, NZ general manager, Gary Bigwood, will takeover responsibility for the country but continue reporting to Miley.
Freeland stepped in as Ingram’s local CEO in September 2005 after a five-year stint as CFO of Tech Pacific’s Asia-Pacific operations. He took over the top job after the departure of Kerry Baillie, who became Ingram’s CEO following its acquisition of Tech Pacific in 2004. Freeland said he would take a break before making a decision on his next career move. In a statement, he added he had thoroughly enjoyed his time with Tech Pacific and Ingram Micro and would miss the team.
