Ingram Micro Chief Lacy Named Parent Firm’s CEO

Linwood A. (Chip) Lacy Jr., chairman of Ingram Micro Inc., the world’s largest computer distributor, has been named chief executive of Ingram’s parent company in Nashville, Tenn.

Lacy succeeds the late E. Bronson Ingram, who turned his family’s oil and barge business into one the country’s largest privately held companies, Ingram Industries Inc., largely on the growth of its computer products distribution operation in Santa Ana. Ingram died of cancer last week at age 63.

Although he will be based in Nashville, Lacy will continue as co-chairman of Ingram Micro, a post he shares with David Dukes.

Lacy said he does not plan any major changes soon. The computer distribution operations will remain in Santa Ana, he said.

“This is about continuity,” Lacy said. Although some industry executives have speculated that the giant company might sell shares in a public stock offering, Lacy said the board “has no intention of doing so. We have all the financial resources we need.”

Directors also elected Bronson Ingram’s wife, Martha Ingram, as Ingram Industries’ chairman at a meeting Wednesday. Martha Ingram, her four children and other family members own 80% of the parent company.

Lacy was named president of Ingram Industries in 1993.

Ingram Micro’s sales are expected to make up 77% of Ingram Industries’ overall projected revenue of $11 billion this year, according to company figures. Other major Ingram divisions are involved in barge transportation and book distribution.

Ingram Micro has 5,600 employees worldwide, including 2,000 in Orange County. The Santa Ana-based company reported record sales of $5.8 billion in 1994, and expects revenue to increase to $8.5 billion this year. As a privately held company, it does not disclose its income, but executives say it is profitable.