Post merger, TD Synnex CEO reaffirms company’s commitment to Greenville

Michael Beaver • September 23, 2021

TD Synnex CEO Rich Hume promised “no dramatic changes” as Synnex and Tech Data merge. Photo by Evan Peter Smith

Post merger, TD Synnex CEO reaffirms company’s commitment to Greenville

Evan Peter Smith, September 3, 2021

The ink is now dry on the $8.3 billion merger between Florida-based  Tech Data  and California-based  Synnex , creating  TD Synnex , the largest technology distribution company in the world.

Think of it as a gigantic information technology supermarket, with a customer base now of more than 150,000 small, midsize and enterprise businesses across more than 100 countries.

The merger is of particular interest to Greenville, given Synnex’s longstanding philanthropic efforts in the community and its status as a major employer, with a local workforce numbering more than 1,200.

In that regard, TD Synnex’s new CEO Rich Hume has a message for Greenville.

“First and foremost, and most importantly, we will absolutely continue in the communities that we’re in,” Hume said.

Speaking from inside the lobby of  the Peace Center  the morning of Sept. 1, Hume had just finished a livestream event in which he addressed the more than 22,000 TD Synnex employees across the world. But his message to that massive pool of workers was not altogether separate from his message for Greenville, specifically.

“It’s important to have a barometer of who we are, what we do and how we get it done, as well as our values, articulating that,” he said. “It just makes it so critical for all of our coworkers to make sure we participate responsibly in the community, so we’re going to do that.”

Locally, that sense of community responsibility is best exemplified by  Synnex Share the Magic  (presumably soon to be renamed TD Synnex Share the Magic), an annual fundraising initiative created in Greenville by Peter Larocque back in 2011. Since its creation, the project has raised more than $14 million for South Carolina children and their families facing challenges such as life-threatening illness, abuse and neglect.

“I am certain that Share the Magic will continue as we move into the future”

-TD Synnex CEO Rich Hume

To the four charities that are the primary recipients of those funds –  A Child’s Haven ,  Clement’s Kindness ,  Make-A-Wish South Carolina , and  Pendleton Place  – Hume offers a promise of “full support to those philanthropic efforts.”

“I am certain that Share the Magic will continue as we move into the future, but I’ve had no discussion relative to whether we’ll make incremental investments or how we’ll think about that,” Hume said, referring to the possibility of expanding the initiative or offering additional programs. “But I think it’s very, very safe to say that the program as you know it, as it’s been growing through time, will probably stay on the trajectory it’s been.”

Share the Magic  has funded more than 150,000 hours of therapeutic childcare, $900,00 in financial support for families with pediatric cancer and other serious blood disorders, more than 2,000 wish fulfillments through Make-A-Wish South Carolina, and 19,000 nights of care to more than 200 at-risk teenagers, among other initiatives.

Tanya Camunas, executive director of A Child’s Haven, which provides therapeutic childcare to at-risk children, summed up that affirmation with one word: “Awesome.”

“I can just say, [the former Synnex has] been so instrumental in creating a stronger community, and their vision for making sure that all children are thriving in our community has been what has driven us to become better and grow into the program we are now,” Camunas said. “By working with families, that in turn strengthens our community.”

While she still expects some small changes, Camunas said she feels bolstered and confident that the organization can stay on its current trajectory.

Greenville-based employees of the former Synnex were offered similar reassurance. Hume said he understands the personal questions that come from a merger.

“Certainly, when something like this happens, it all becomes, ‘What is my compensation? What are my benefits?’ The short answer to all those questions is everything moves on the same as it’s been,” he said. “No dramatic changes.”

Hume noted Greenville’s large base of talent as its main strategic advantage, especially as the two sides of the company merge their respective cloud platforms — Tech Data’s  StreamOne  platform and Synnex’s  Stellr  platform — into a single entity. Rather than reducing investment, Hume suggested the new merged company would increase that investment, all while building a single platform.

“So instead of having to build two, we build one, and that way we can have — allow me to use a simple term — a lot more bells and whistles,” he said.

Those bells and whistles include security, analytics, internet of things and artificial intelligence, what Hume calls “next generation technology,” which is experiencing hyper-growth in an IT market that is otherwise growing by the single-digits, annually.

For Greenville, that opens up the opportunity for future growth.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring more resources to Greenville not only to support the core business, but also to support those next-gen technology areas,” he said. “And Greenville’s a great town. It has great opportunity overall. I think it’s a jewel that is being uncovered.”

Lincoln and Jasmine's Story

By A Child's Haven • July 20, 2022
Twins, Lincoln and Jasmine, were three years old when referred to A Child’s Haven (ACH) by their Early Interventionist (EI) for speech delays and extreme separation anxiety. Lincoln and Jasmine’s mother, Jessica, shared with their EI that she was struggling with her husband’s death and needed help. Her EI had just attended a Lunch and Learn at ACH and knew Jessica and this family could benefit from our multigenerational treatment services. During their ACH intake, Jessica revealed Lincoln and Jasmine’s father passed away shortly after their second birthday. After their father’s death, the twins had very different reactions. Jasmine developed extreme separation anxiety, and Lincoln went from a boy full of personality to not talking at all. The first few weeks of drop offs were extremely tough for the twins. Emotions ran high, and you could feel the children’s despair and insecurity. Our clinical team showered them with patience and support, and Jessica’s Child and Family Therapist walked her through different ways to comfort and help Lincoln and Jasmine with this transition. Once the children became more comfortable with coming to ACH, a transformation began. Our clinical team helped Jasmine identify her anxiety and taught her healthy coping strategies. Lincoln learned other ways to communicate, starting with basic sign language, until he gained the confidence to speak simple words like, “Yes”, “No”, and “Thank you.” After several months, Lincoln was speaking in full sentences again. The twins weren’t the only ones making progress. Jessica had major breakthroughs during Family Therapy sessions with their Child and Family Therapist. She worked through a lot of her grief, learned better routines that would help their family at home, and practiced coping skills with her children. Lincoln and Jasmine are now five years old and getting ready for Kindergarten this fall. The whole family continues making progress each day. An investment in A Child’s Haven is an investment in a child and family’s mental health. Donate today.

Inaugural 4K Graduation

By A Child's Haven • June 7, 2022
A Child’s Haven (ACH) hosted its inaugural 4K graduation Friday, June 3, 2022 in collaboration with South Carolina First Steps (SCFS). Family members, ACH staff, community members, and Miss South Carolina USA, Meera Bhonsle, were all present for the celebration. ACH was the fourth SCFS 4K program in Greenville County and launched in August 2021. ACH also provides Therapeutic Child Care to young children suffering from trauma or abuse. The SCFS 4K program adds a traditional academic component and further ensures a child’s success when they enter a public-school classroom. ACH Program Director, Coraretta Smalls, leads the initiative with support from other clinical staff. The SCFS 4K Program enhances the ACH program as a model for Therapeutic Child Care in South Carolina. ACH Executive Director, Tanya Camunas, commented that, “We are thrilled to be graduating our first 4K class this year. Our children will enter public school having overcome their trauma and prepared to be great learners.” South Carolina First Steps is the state’s only dedicated, comprehensive early childhood initiative focused on getting children ready for school and life success. Martha M. Strickland, South Carolina First Steps 4K State Director said, “We are grateful to A Child’s Haven for partnering with First Steps 4K so that all students are fully prepared for kindergarten. SC First Steps 4K gives families the opportunity to enroll their eligible child in a free, high-quality 4K program of their choice as part of South Carolina’s Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP).” About A Childs Haven: Founded in 1992 by Eva P. Hunt, ACH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides healing therapy for Greater Greenville’s developmentally challenged at-risk preschoolers, while fortifying vulnerable families and strengthening our community. It is one of only two Therapeutic Child Care service providers in the state. https://achildshaven.org/ About South Carolina First Steps: South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness (SCFS) is both a nonprofit and state agency and is the only dedicated comprehensive early childhood agency in South Carolina focused on getting children ready for school and life success. We serve more than 30,000 children in 81 school districts across 46 counties. https://scfirststeps.org/

ACH Receives CARF Re-Accreditation for the Fourth Consecutive Time

By A Child's Haven • June 7, 2022
A Child’s Haven (ACH) recently earned our fourth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). ACH is accredited until March 31, 2025 for Intense Family Based Services: Family Services (Children and Adolescent); with Board Governance Standards applied. CARF’s decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and demonstrates ACH’s conformance to CARF standards. The process involved a rigorous peer review by a team of surveyors during an on-site visit, and the outcome affirmed ACH’s commitment to offer programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. “CARF commends A Child’s Haven’s commitment and consistent efforts to improve the quality of tis programs and services and looks forward to working with the organization in its ongoing pursuit of excellence,” said President and CEO of CARF, Brian J. Boon, Ph.D. This achievement came as ACH celebrates their 30 th anniversary of providing healing therapy to children and families who have suffered from trauma. Executive Director, Tanya Camunas, said this about their recent accomplishment, “We are extremely proud of achieving the highest level of accreditation that CARF offers. This further distinguishes A Child’s Haven as an organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of lives of children and families in our community.” Learn more about ACH’s services and how you can get involved at www.achildshaven.org About A Child’s Haven: Founded in 1992 by Eva P. Hunt, ACH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides healing therapy for Greater Greenville’s developmentally challenged at-risk preschoolers, while fortifying vulnerable families and strengthening our community. It is one of only two Therapeutic Child Care service providers in South Carolina. https://achildshaven.org/ About CARF: CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org .
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