Arrow Electronics has announced a significant leadership transition with William (“Bill”) F. Austen stepping into the role of Interim President and CEO, effective immediately. Austen, who has been a member of Arrow’s Board of Directors since May 2020, succeeds Sean Kerins following Kerins’ separation from his roles as Director, President, and CEO.
While assuming the responsibilities of interim leader, Austen will continue his service on the Board, though he has stepped down from key committees to focus on the company’s strategic direction during this time of change.
Austen brings a wealth of executive experience to Arrow Electronics, having served as president, chief executive officer, and director of Bemis Company, Inc., a notable global manufacturer of flexible packaging products and pressure-sensitive materials, for six years prior to June 2019.
His career also includes serving as executive vice president of operations and chief operating officer at Bemis, plus an extensive tenure in operational leadership roles within the company.
Beyond Bemis, Austen held board positions at Tenant Company and Arconic Corporation, lending further credibility to his leadership abilities during this transition at Arrow Electronics.
Sean Kerins has agreed to remain available to support Arrow’s ongoing transition efforts to ensure operational continuity. Importantly, the company clarified that Kerins’ departure is unrelated to Arrow’s financial statements, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and business stability.
Leadership Comment
Board Chair Steven Gunby affirmed the collective trust in Austen’s guidance, stating, “We have full confidence in the ability of the current leadership team, with Bill Austen’s support, to lead Arrow during this period of transition, and appreciate Bill’s willingness to step into this role.”
The Board is actively initiating a search for Arrow’s next permanent President and CEO to solidify the company’s long-term leadership strategy.
Arrow Electronics, with reported 2024 sales of $28 billion, remains a global leader in sourcing and engineering technology solutions for thousands of manufacturers and service providers.
