SANTA ANA, Calif., April 7, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM), the world's largest technology distributor, has promoted Ria Marie Carlson to corporate vice president, strategy and communications, effective immediately. She will become an officer of the corporation on June 1, 2005.
In her new role, Carlson will serve as the company's chief strategy and communications officer, responsible for strategic planning and market development, internal and external communications and investor and public relations. She reports to Kent B. Foster, chairman and chief executive officer, and is also a member of the company's worldwide executive team.
"Ria has proven herself as a valuable strategic advisor, providing counsel on the company's priorities, market positioning and reputation," said Foster. "With our strategy and communications groups under one leader, we are creating excellent opportunities to better understand the marketplace, develop effective avenues for profitable growth and success, and shape the future of our organization."
Carlson joined Ingram Micro in March 2001 as vice president, corporate communications and investor relations, immediately developing global strategic communication plans that guided the company during a period of significant change and enhanced the company's profile with the investment community and national media.
With more than 20 years of corporate, agency, media and non-profit experience, Carlson has been a corporate chief communications officer for more than nine years. Before joining Ingram Micro, she served as vice president, communications and investor relations for Equity Marketing, Inc., an international toy and promotions company that transformed from a consumer products manufacturer to a marketing services agency. She also held executive positions at publicly traded healthcare corporations, including FHP International Corporation, where she led communication efforts on an acquisition that doubled the size of the company and on the launch of a new subsidiary that became a stand-alone company. She earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Southern California and holds certificates in management from the University of California, Irvine.
About Ingram Micro Inc.
As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics services, technical support, financial services, and product aggregation and distribution. The company serves 100 countries and is the only global IT distributor with operations in Asia. Visit www.ingrammicro.com.
(C) 2005 Ingram Micro Inc. All rights reserved. Ingram Micro and the registered Ingram Micro logo are trademarks used under license by Ingram Micro Inc.
SOURCE Ingram Micro
Worldwide Media, Clifford Crisanti of Ingram Micro, +1-714-382-1138, clifford.crisanti@ingrammicro.com, or North American Media, Marie Meoli of WhiteFox Marketing and Communications, +1-714-382-2190, marie.meoli@ingrammicro.com, for Ingram Micro, or Investors, Kay Leyba of Ingram Micro, +1-714-382-4175, kay.leyba@ingrammicro.com