Embattled Irvine computer maker Gateway Inc. named a longtime technology executive as its boss on Thursday, ending more than six months without a permanent chief executive.
J. Edward Coleman, 54, is set to takeover the company, replacing Chairman Rick Snyder, who’s filled in as chief executive since February.
Coleman joins Gateway from Melville, N.Y.-based electronics distributor Arrow Electronics Inc., where he was senior vice president.
At Arrow, Coleman headed the company’s operation selling to businesses. Before that, he was chief executive of Dallas-based CompuCom Systems Inc.
Earlier in Coleman’s career, he worked for IBM Corp.
Coleman’s experience selling to businesses at Arrow likely appealed to Gateway. The PC maker is seeing growth selling computers through stores but is lagging in more profitable sales directly to businesses and consumers.
Earlier this year, Wayne Inouye left as Gateway’s chief executive over slow direct sales.
Last month, Orange County businessman Lap Shun “John” Hui offered to buy Gateway’s retail business, or even all of the company.
Gateway rejected Hui’s $450 million offer.
Hui cited Gateway’s lack of a permanent chief as a problem at the company.
In 2004, Hui sold low-cost PC maker eMachines to Gateway for $290 million. Inouye spurred a turnaround at eMachines and later Gateway.
Coleman said he hopes to “meet the challenges ahead and position the company to better capitalize on its strengths.”
