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Ingram Micro, the world’s largest technology distributor, surprised the channel this afternoon by announcing longtime chief executive Greg Spierkel is stepping down, effective immediately. His replacement is Ingram veteran Alain Monie, who currently serves as president and chief operating officer.

Spierkel, who has held the helm at Ingram since 2005, said the decision to step down is a personal one and the timing is right. “I’m confident the company is in capable and experienced hands. After serving as CEO for more than six years, it’s the right time to leave and spend more time with my family.”

Monie, also a member of the Ingram board of directors, is no stranger to the company or the channel. He’s served in various capacities at Ingram since 2003, when he was appointed executive vice president. During his tenure, he served as president of the Asia-Pacific region and, in 2007, was promoted to president and chief operating officer.

“Ingram Micro has a solid strategy with a strong management team,” said Monie. “We will continue to execute this strategy. I look forward to leading the team toward delivering on our key initiatives, while providing best-in-class performance for our customers, vendors and shareholders.”

Ingram’s management and board of directors is expressing confidence in Monie, who only returned to the company in November after a two-year stint as CEO at April Management Pte. In resuming his post, he was well positioned to ascend to the CEO office should Spierkel ever relinquish it.

It’s too early to know if the executive change will result in a shift in strategic direction for Ingram. Under Spierkel, Ingram focused first on embracing managed services and business analytics to drive partner profitability and performance. Of late, Spierkel has been advocating greater access to create and countering global economic forces that could dampen partner performance and viability.

Monie inherits a distributor that’s investing heavily in new markets, technologies and enablement programs. Most significant is cloud and professional services: In the U.S., Ingram Services is at the forefront of distribution efforts in cloud and managed services. In Europe, the Ingram-led Channel Transformation Alliance is promoting cloud and emerging technology adoption to partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. And Ingram has designs of cracking new market segments with value-added technologies and services.

One of the challenges Monie will face is balancing the need for Ingram – like other distributors – to innovate new services and lines of business with vendors’ desires for legacy and commoditized “pick, box and ship” logistics, and partners need for greater market development and technical support.

Spierkel isn’t disappearing just yet, even as Monie officially takes over tomorrow (Jan. 20). Spierkel will remain at Ingram through April 15 to aid with the management transition.