Arrow's CEO search continues: Kaufman will head back to Harvard Business School - News - Stephen Kaufman

Electronic News, August 26, 2002 by Rob Spiegel

Ending much industry speculation, Stephen Kaufman will step down from his temporary role as interim CEO of Melville, N.Y.-based Arrow Electronics Inc., pack his bags and return to his teaching position as senior lecturer at Harvard Business School.

Many in the industry believed the former chairman and CEO would postpone his return to academia if the company were unable to find a new CEO by Sept. 15- the company's self-imposed target date to replace former President and CEO Francis Scricco, who stepped down from the top spot in June.

Kaufman had given up his role as chairman to take the CEO reins after Scricco's departure. Kaufman took on this role during the summer break in his teaching schedule at Harvard. He originally had planned to fully retire from his duties with Arrow on Sept. 15, and Arrow officials have confirmed he will keep to the proposed schedule, noting that the "parties are planned." Company officials also stated that the search continues through Christian & Timbers, the Cleveland-based executive recruitment company that specializes in the tech sector.

Also as scheduled, Daniel Duval will assume responsibilities as president and CEO on Sept. 15. Duval assumed the role of chairman when Kaufman stepped into the interim CEO spot. Duval will hold all three positions-- chairman, president and CEO-- until a company leader is appointed. Whether Duval will continue as chairman when a new CEO is selected has not been determined. Prior to taking on the role of chairman, Duval was an outside director, having joined the board in 1987. He is a previous president and CEO of Dayton, Ohio-based Robbins & Myers, a fluids management systems manufacturer.