Rudy Van Parijs, President
Rudy’s career at Avnet spans nearly 30 years. Before becoming President of Avnet Abacus in 2018, he was responsible for running EBV Southern Europe. After graduating in electronics engineering, Rudy began his career at the University of Leuven, moved on to a start-up, then to a local Belgian distributor before joining EBV as a Field Application Engineer in 1991. Since then he has occupied a number of senior roles, including managing the Benelux region and leading the technical organisation of EBV in Poing (while completing his Corporate Finance degree).
Matthias Schwendemann, Vice President Product Management
Joined Avnet Abacus in 2022 and is responsible for Avnet Abacus’ entire Product Marketing, Asset, Operations, and Technical Development.
As a Business Economist, he embarked on a multifaceted professional journey. Starting at Rutronik in September 2008 and concluding in August 2012, he assumed various roles in product marketing. His career continued at Arrow, where he gained a wealth of experience over 10 years in product marketing and sales positions including product group manager for capacitors, global program manager, and regional sales manager in Nuremberg and Stuttgart.
Matthias Jeck, Regional VP DACH
Matthias Jeck, Regional VP DACH, joined Avnet Abacus in September 2021 and is responsible for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He began his career in the industry on 1st January 2000 at Rutronik before continuing for the next 19.5 years at Arrow, where Matthias built a wealth of experience in various positions in Sales, Product Management for IP&E and Asset with his most recent role being Sales Director South-West.
Mario Merino, Regional VP South
Mario Merino, Regional VP South, is responsible for Belgium, Israel, Iberia, France and Italy. Previously Regional Director Iberia, he studied Electronics and Software Telecom Engineering and began his career as an electronics designer for Eliop in 1992. Four years later he joined SEI ADM as an FAE for Xilinx.
His career with Avnet began in 2000 when he moved into the role of Technical Manager at Avnet Memec and later as Portugal Sales Manager for Silica. He was appointed as Iberia Sales Manager for Avnet Abacus in 2013.
Kieron Murdock, Regional VP North
Kieron Murdock, Regional VP North for Avnet Abacus, is responsible for the Nordics and UK & Ireland regions. Previously Director of Avnet Abacus UK & Ireland, Kieron has a 15 year track record in component distribution. He joined Abacus Group in 2003 as Subsidiary Manager for Abacus Solent and was subsequently appointed Regional Sales Manager, for UK south. Earlier in his career he was an Account Manager at Rutronik.
Aleksandar Pantović, Sales Director, East Europe
As Sales Director for East Europe, Aleksandar Pantović leads Avnet Abacus’ sales strategy, market expansion, and customer engagement across the region.
With extensive experience in sales, procurement, and team leadership, he previously served as EMEA Quote Centre Manager (2021–2023) before becoming Director of Avnet Serbia. His industry expertise and strategic vision drive growth and innovation in East Europe.
Neil Munns, LogOn Sales & Supply Chain Director
Neil is responsible for the design and execution of Avnet Abacus’ customer supply chain solutions across EMEA. He joined Avnet United in 2006, managing Tier 1 customer engagement, before moving to Avnet Abacus in 2016. Neil has 25 years’ experience in supply chain and operations within the electronics and manufacturing sector.
Hagen Goetze, Senior Director Supplier Management & Operation
Hagen Goetze, Senior Director Marketing at Avnet Abacus, has leadership of Supplier and Product Management, EMEA Quote Centre Organisation, Marketing Communications and overall Technical Marketing strategy.
Hagen holds a degree in business administration. Before he started at Avnet in 2006, he worked in Project Management, Sales and Purchasing roles in building services engineering, Telecommunications and Electronic Manufacturing business.
Gitta Buecher, Director Product Management Interconnect & E-Mech
Gitta has always worked in distribution, occupying a number of senior roles in marketing, asset and procurement. After graduating with a degree in business administration, she began her career with Astronic and moved to Arrow three years later. She joined Avnet Abacus in 2012 as Asset Manager for Germany, assuming the role EMEA Asset manager before becoming Director in 2019.
Claudia Zimmermann, Director Corporate Controlling
Claudia Zimmermann joined the Avnet Abacus team as Business Controller in November 2021, responsible for monitoring the business’ key financial drivers and how they can be improved. She originally joined Avnet in 2007, looking after monthly reporting and controlling for two EMEA speedboats. In 2015, she became Director Controlling Europe, responsible for annual budget processes, monthly reporting and consolidation of Core EMEA business in line with IAS and US GAAP. Her new role is in parallel to her Avnet EMEA role.