Al Senia (bio)

The move is effective July 1, just a month before CompTIA huge Breakaway reseller conference in Orlando. Venator likely will be a main topic of discussion at that conference. He has spent more than 20 years at CompTIA, directing it from a fledgling group of computer dealers to a highly respected, politically strong channel and technology industry trade association. Venator moved up his original retirement date by about a year because of personal resasons.

Thibodeaux pledges to boost in-house research efforts, continue lobbying on industry matters and explore new partnerships. Venator will stay on as head of CompTIA's charitable educational organization.

Venator's wide-ranging industry expertise will be greatly missed. And nothing foreshadows the increasing commodization of the channel more than the fact that an expert in consumer electronics is now at the organization's helm. The channel will no doubt benefit from Thibodeaux's knowledge of the electronics industry. Good luck to both executives.