COO of area IT powerhouse set to become CEO

CLEARWATER — Tech Data has announced a succession plan that will see its long-serving CEO, Bob Dutkowsky, step down from his post in June. He will be replaced by COO and Executive Vice President Richard Hume, who will also join the Clearwater-based Fortune 500 company’s board of directors.

According to a press release, Dutkowsky — who has been Tech Data’s CEO since 2006 — will remain with the company as executive chairman of its board of directors.

Hume first joined Tech Data in 2016, coming to the company from IBM, where he worked for 30 years in a variety of executive positions, including general manager and COO of Global Technology Services, IBM's $32 billion infrastructure and outsourcing services business.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the next CEO of Tech Data," Hume states in the release. "This is an exciting time for the new Tech Data, as we continue to redefine technology distribution and transform the company into the IT distributor of the future.”

Hume also offers high praise for his predecessor, stating in the release, “Bob has provided tremendous leadership during his tenure as CEO and has been an incredible mentor and friend since I joined Tech Data. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Bob in his role as executive chairman and know I will continue to benefit greatly from his deep knowledge of the company and the industry."

According to the release, Dutkowsky’s 12-year tenure saw Tech Data’s revenue grow from $21 billion to more than $36 billion, while the company’s non-GAAP earnings per share increased by 550%.