Celebrating Esty Lachmish’s 50 Years with Avnet
This year has seen Avnet Abacus celebrating a seminal milestone, and now we would like to take a moment to celebrate another important anniversary and an inspiring achievement: Esty Lachmish’s 50 years with Avnet!
Esty started out at RDT on 1 November 1972 as a receptionist straight out of high school, joining a team of just five people in a very small office in Tel Aviv. During the early 1980’s, RDT acquired the franchise of AMP (now known as TE). At that point she was invited to help establish the component department taking on the role of Inside Sales, Account Manager, FAE & Asset all in one! RDT was later acquired by Avnet in the early 2000’s and during this time, Esty’s hard work and dedication saw her promoted to be Internal Sales manager, then SAP core user and eventually she joined Avnet Abacus as a Senior Inside Sales Specialist.
This career progression coincided with the developing technologies of an ever-evolving industry. Esty talked to us about the transitions from Telex to fax and then on to the sudden rush of modern technology that has resulted in making all those redundant in their turn, right up to the arrival of advanced robotics and Artificial Intelligence. She has taken all this change in her stride and enjoyed watching it develop, embracing each new exciting step along the way.
When asked about the experience of being a woman in this industry over the years she acknowledges the ongoing challenges. ‘I have seen big changes ever since I started my journey, when the industry was male-oriented and, over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see more and more women come into key positions. It has definitely been a big change, and there is always more to do’.
Her most memorable, heartwarming moment is also best told in her own words: ‘A few months ago when I was called to my Manager, Yair Sahar’s office and asked if the name "Matan" rang a bell. It took me few minutes to remember that as an Avnet Mentor volunteer 20 years ago I had this 7-year-old boy who I tutored. Yair told me that that this boy had later applied to Avnet for a job as an electronic engineer and, when he arrived for an interview, he asked if I was still working at Avnet.
When Yair told him that yes, I was still working at Avnet, he asked if he could meet me, and I can't truly describe that moment as he hugged me and had tears in his eyes. He told us all that, ever since that time being mentored, his dream had been to become an electronic engineer and work at Avnet. And he is now an FAE at Avnet Abacus. One of the rewards of my 50 years is knowing that I touched someone's heart and led him to a career at Avnet.’
As to what has helped her over the years and inspired her to work for Avnet for so long, Esty acknowledges that ‘with the tremendous help of my mentor, Dani Koren (former President Avnet Israel), I was able to achieve higher positions. I am a strong believer that a positive attitude and a smile contribute greatly to the ambiance at the workplace, as well as improving the relationship with customers and suppliers.’
Esty was also surprised recently by an impromptu celebratory phone call with Phil Gallagher, Ken Arnold, Rudy Van Parijs, Mario Merino and Yair Sahar to talk to her about her experiences over the years and to show her just how much her time at the company means to everyone, as well as the difference that she has made.
So, take a moment to raise your glass to Esty’s inspiring achievements, and celebrate all her years of hard work and dedication to her teams at Avnet. Congratulations Esty and here’s to many more happy memories!
