The Soft Pitch

The parting of the Red Sea…Moses or Charleston Heston could not have done better, when Larry Fitzgerald split the Steelers and ran 65 yards for a TD we wents nuts. But the Steelers did come back and win a Super Bowl for the ages. The Cardinals should have packed their bags and went home after Harris ran the 100 yard obstacle course with no time left in the 1st half to turn the game around. That one play cost them from winning a big upset…but still down they made a great comeback and won the respect and hearts of the country. Pittsburg u got away with one.

Congrats to the Bidwills, Coach Whiz, Warner, Fitz, team…great year. This town still still needs to learn how to pull together 100% and celebrate but we sure are getting better.

Still do not know who won FBR in overtime, but was not too concerned. 

Back to work

Today will be one for the ages…PHX will be buzzing…great weather here has made this event again the place to be…1/2 the people are watching golf…the other half watching the people. The sights are amazing…from the beautiful girls to the great stadium course layout especailly at hole 16. Attendance maybe down a bit but it’s still will be double any event in the US this year. If u do not have a good time here you aren’t trying.

I was asked by the AZ Business Journal why we are doing this in tough times…this event is vital to our success. Hundreds of customers and suppliers love coming here when the weather is a tad cold…we hold meetings, tours, and our leaders get to address the TS and EM crowds at dinner programs. We see an awful lot of folks which enhances our relationships and also saves us money from traveling to them. Emails and phone calls only do so much. Some of the folks will spend an afternoon at the event in our tent on the 18th hole. We average 300 plus everyday…on Weds during the proam…it’s employee day. So we hit all our folks: employees, customers, suppliers, community leaders, and shareholders. Here is the cherry on the sundae…some of our funds go to charity through the host Thunderbirds. So far so good….

Also COO Rick Hamada did an excellent job being interviewed on Back Spin the radio show today. We are their sponsor every year during FBR week.  When asked by host Corey LaRusso he picked Nitti to win? (being from Chicago all I can think of is Frank Nitti from gangland era)  I hope local boy Ted Purdy does.

FBR marketers were smart…if you wear a Cardinal jersey/hat etc you get for free today.

So what’s next for the redbirds…the Steelers are 6 1/2 point favorites…great D versus great O (I do not mean Oprah). Too bad more Az fans are not there…but who cares…I like Coach Whiz versus Tomlin. If the Cardinals could beat the SI jynx for two weeks what’s one more…Warner is quite a man…our 4 recievers are awesome…the Steelers win too much in bad weather aganist teams who hate bad weather ala San Diego. Maybe they should not be in Tampa either. In my opinion will win Cardinals 31-28.

This week we promoted Philip Gallagher to serve as global president for Avnet Technology Solutions, one of two global operating groups within Avnet. He is really one of those guys who has few if any folks rooting aganist him.

Gallagher’s appointment will be effective March 2nd and he will report directly to Avnet Chief Operating Officer Rick Hamada, With $7.6 billion in revenue in FY 2008, Avnet Technology Solutions operates in 35 countries covering Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe. Avnet Technology Solutions delivers enterprise computing and embedded technology products and solutions from the world’s premier computer manufacturers and software suppliers.

Gallagher is a 26-year veteran with Avnet and currently serves as president of Avnet Electronics Marketing, Americas, a position he assumed in 2004. The rest of the press release is on the front of avnet.com.

He is just another example of our folks moving from one operating group to another…which I (we) think is a good thing to make us stronger. He is a a superb communicator, engages people and a team leader…my bet is dont bet aganist him. The TS folks already a solid organization will become a VERY solid team and even more formidable competitor with Phil at the helm.

He was at the top of our succession plan, but most companies have that, and the janitor knew Phil was keeper. What is impressive is our global leadership training we have been doing under Roy’s leadership and Steve Church’s direction. Phil is another by-product and journalists are noticing our efforts. By the way we are not cutting training in the these tough times.

I was going to try not to say anything about the Cardinals…but Phil had some bad vibes this week…he is from Philly and yes he was rooting for the Eagles. He was booed by 100 PHX people when he showed up last week at a staff meeting waering a green Eagle’s jersey…gotta love it. I know he is big Cardinal fan too…so he won either way. The Cards and Phil, a good week for me.

Super Bowl 43…

GO CARDS

“We are going to the super bowl”. 7 words you want your team’s fans to hear. The AZ Cardinals the worst playoff team in history according to many experts just got to the big dance…the Super Bowl by beating the favored and talented Phildaelphia Eagles. That was one of the most exciting games I have ever been involved in (and my team is really the Chicago Bears)…the crowd was sooo loud for every Eagle play and responded so well to the ups and downs of the game. The Eagles made a huge comeback and almost won…by QB Kurt Warner would prevail on a long drive capped off Hightowers exceptional catch and 9 yard run into the end zone. If Fitzgerald w 3 TDs is not best end in football….who is? Great for our city and it’s real fans. I’m still in disbelief.

More later I’m tired.

Great lessons for all, Never underestimate your opponent…and an unselfish team w a good culture can surprise you…