Houston Business Journal Names Smith Outstanding Diversity Helping Hand

This award recognizes Smith’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Houston, TX (March 25, 2021) – Smith, a global distributor of electronic components and semiconductors, today announces that it has been named an Outstanding Diversity Helping Hand by Houston Business Journal. This recognition is awarded to organizations that have demonstrated their dedication to the promotion and advancement of diversity and inclusion in their business operations and the community at large.

“It is an honor for Smith to be recognized for our commitment to diversity,” said Patti Everitt, Smith’s HR & Recruiting Manager. “This award is emblematic of the inclusive spirit of our employees and leadership, who have welcomed every opportunity to embrace the unique talents of every individual.”

Smith was nominated for the award by The HUB — a school in Houston for neurodiverse teenagers and young adults and a longtime corporate social responsibility partner to Smith. Students from The HUB frequently volunteer alongside Smith employees on a variety of philanthropic activities, including assembling packages of useful everyday supplies for children in foster care and preparing sack lunches for Houston’s homeless population.

“We are in awe of what Smith does for and with The HUB,” said Colleen Russo, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The HUB. “Through inclusion of individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds, to all levels of neurodiversity and socioeconomic status, Smith quietly moves forward with their mission of supporting diversity with dignity.”

Over time, Smith has established a thriving mentorship program for students at The HUB to learn and practice new job skills. The company’s HR and recruiting team also conducted mock interviews at The HUB’s Interview Day to help recent graduates – several of whom have worked for Smith over the years – gain experience and insight as they start applying for jobs. The program culminated in the development of a diversity training program to provide new and existing Smith employees with a better understanding of neurodiversity.

“Our diversity training initiative was put into motion after starting our internship and hiring program with The HUB in an effort to expand our employees’ awareness of neurodiversity and help our team members work inclusively together,” said Lee Ackerley, Smith’s Executive Vice President and co-founder. “The program started at our Houston locations and outlines the role each person plays in enabling an environment that supports everyone’s success. Since then, we’ve expanded the program to all 16 of our global offices through our e-learning platform.”

About Smith

Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and directional drilling systems. In 16 cities around the world, Smith’s legion of employees communicates in 50 languages and dialects and buys and sells components 24 hours per day, with global annual sales in excess of $1.35 billion. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. The support of Smith’s flexible Intelligent Distribution^TM model optimizes customers’ supply chains from beginning to end, including offering customized options for IT asset disposition that deliver maximum ROI, sustainability, and security. Smith’s testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam cover critical areas like quality management, counterfeit prevention, and environmental safety. Smith’s operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the company’s global IT infrastructure, offering real-time, global inventory and logistics visibility. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number nine among all global distributors. For more information, please visit https://www.smithweb.com or reach out to a Smith representative any time of day at +1 713.430.3000.

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For more information, contact:

Mark Bollinger
Smith, Chief Globalization Officer
+1 713.430.3038
[email protected]