Electronic components distributor Avnet has tapped Gilles Beltran to lead the company’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa region. The news comes about two months after Avnet reported a decline in 3Q (January-March) sales, with EMEA sales down 9.2% YoY.

At the end of fiscal year 2025, Beltran — who has been the President of Avnet Silica, one of Avnet’s European semiconductor specialist divisions, for four years — will succeed Slobodan Puljarevic and Mario Orlandi, who have co-led the EMEA region for seven years.

As President of Avnet EMEA, the presidents of the Avnet Abacus, EBV Elektronik and Avnet Silica business units will now report to Beltran.

“Gilles’ extensive experience in electronics distribution and in-depth knowledge of Avnet’s internal processes make him the ideal candidate to steer Avnet EMEA towards new opportunities and growing success,” Avnet CEO Phil Gallagher said in a July 7 news release. “His vision and passion are instrumental in our continuous collaboration and growth in the region.”

When Puljarevic and Orlandi step down from their current roles, they will continue to report to Gallagher, focusing on global projects within Avnet.

In other news, Avnet — an MDM 2025 Industry Titan and No. 2 on MDM’s 2025 Top Electronics Distributors List — plans to move its global headquarters from Phoenix to Tempe, AZ in mid-2026.