Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> April 26, 1999
STEVEN A. RAYMOND began his career at Tech Data Corporation in 1981- the
same year the microcomputer industry was born. From his original
position as Operations Manager, Mr. Raymond moved up to become Chief
Operating Officer in 1984. He reached the position of Chief Executive
Officer in 1986, and in 1991, was appointed Chairman of the Board of
Directors. Mr. Raymond completed his undergraduate work at the
University of Oregon, earning a B.S. in Economics in 1978. He earned a
Master's degree in International Politics in 1980, from the Georgetown
University School of Foreign Service. During his tenure as an exchange
student in Brazil, Mr. Raymond attained fluency in Portuguese. Tech Data
Corporation's prosperity and Steve Raymond's success are closely
related. In 1988, Arthur Young Entrepreneurial Services named him
Entrepreneur of the Year, and that same year, Inc. Magazine listed Tech
Data 44th on its list of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Small Public
Companies. Since 1989, Mr. Raymond has been named One of the 25 Most
Influential Executives in the PC Industry, as compiled by Computer
Reseller News. Profile
TWST: Why don't you start out by giving us a brief description oroverview of Tech Data its history, products, services, customers those
kinds of things please?
Mr. Raymond: Tech Data