Avnet Technology Solutions said that Lisa Friesenhahn, the distributor's vice president of SMB solutions, has been presented a prestigious award from IBM Global Services for developing innovative approaches to improving the channel and fostering the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

Friesenhahn is only the second recipient of the IBM Global Services Marguerite Butterworth Lifetime Achievement award since its inception in 1997. Butterworth, an IBM vice president, developed processes to help grow the Global Services business into the channel.

"Throughout her career at Avnet, Lisa has dedicated herself to helping our suppliers and reseller business partners pursue new opportunities to accelerate their growth," said Jeff Bawol, Avnet president.

Friesenhahn has worked in technology channels for 23 years and is credited with leading projects-- such as developing an automated order processing system and constructing a program to help partners navigate the maze of solutions-based sales--to advance IBM's Global Services business in the channel.

Avnet said that Friesenhahn is a key factor driving its ranking as the top distributor selling IBM Global Services in eight out of the past 10 years.

Prior to her current position, Friesenhahn served as the distributor's vice president of leasing, services and remarketing sales.

"IBM Global Services Marguerite Butterworth Lifetime Achievement award is an incredibly rare honor reserved for executives who have played significant roles in transforming our channel and the way we conduct business," said Archie James, IBM Global Services director of channel services.

"Lisa has been instrumental in helping us shape our product and services strategy for the channel and she has been a driving force in creating programs that make it easier for our partners to do business and profitably target new market opportunities."