Locally headquartered tech giant hires chief information officer

CLEARWATER — Bonnie Smith has been named chief information officer at Tech Data, succeeding John Tonnison, who is retiring after nearly two decades with the Clearwater-based tech distributor.

According to a press release, Smith brings more than 30 years of industry experience to Tech Data. She will oversee IT deployment and lead the company’s global IT organization through a chapter of strategic innovation and digital transformation. 

“This is a pivotal time for Tech Data as we invest in transforming our business to deliver higher value across the technology ecosystem, and we are fortunate to add Bonnie as a perfect fit to lead our technology organization,” Tech Data CEO Rich Hume states in the release. “Bonnie is a creative problem solver and passionate leader focused on driving growth, and she will be instrumental to helping us accelerate our objectives and differentiate Tech Data in new ways.”

Prior to her appointment at Tech Data, Smith served as vice president and CIO at Southfield, Mich.-based Lear Corp., a manufacturer of auto parts. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining Tech Data and am looking forward to partnering with the technology team and the CEO staff to propel the company forward in its transformation journey,” Smith states in the release. “I am excited to bring my experience in transforming businesses to unlock new opportunities and create better ways to serve our channel partners and colleagues at Tech Data.”

Clearwater-based Tech Data, until being acquired last year by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, was the Tampa Bay region’s largest publicly traded company, with $37 billion in gross revenue in 2019.