Avnet Express' Drive for Innovation Rolls into Phoenix in Support of "Girls Have IT Day"

PHOENIX and SAN FRANCISCO, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) estimates there will be 1.4 million computer specialist jobs in the U.S. by 2018 -- however, less than 20 percent of women today have the education necessary to fill these positions. To help spread the word about the importance of women in science, technology, electronics and math (STEM), the Avnet Express Drive for Innovation will be making a pit-stop in Phoenix to support Xavier College Preparatory's fourth annual "Girls Have IT Day." This event was developed in partnership with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University and encourages young women to get involved in STEM.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120314/SF69638LOGO)

Taking place on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 1 p.m. (MDT), Brian Fuller, editorial director of EE Times and driver of the Drive for Innovation Chevrolet Volt, will join 400 middle and high school girls from the Phoenix metropolitan area to discuss innovation and the critical role that women play in the future of technology. Sponsored by UBM Electronics, the daily source of essential business and technical information for the electronics industry's decision makers, and Avnet Express, the e-Commerce engine of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), the Drive for Innovation has been traveling the country to shine a light on American innovation. Since July 2011, Fuller has been interviewing engineers, entrepreneurs, innovators, teachers and students, and blogging and posting video updates about his experiences. 

"Inspiring our youth to pursue careers in science and technology takes on increasing priority for us all as the U.S. fights to retain its position as the world's primary engine of technology innovation," said Fuller. "The quality of our math and science education lags behind other nations. Among 30 developed countries, the United States ranks 25th in math and 21st in science. It's critical to help young technologists and innovators connect with the world of technology and inspire them to pursue careers in science and technology."

"America is at a crossroads when it comes to innovation. It is important that our youth, especially young women, are aware of the significant impact they can have on the future of technology, science, mathematics and electronics," said Beth Ely, senior vice president, Avnet Express. "Avnet is given the incredible opportunity to see all sides of the technology value-chain and we support initiatives, such as these, that help future generations gain a better understanding of the opportunities presented in technology."

Xavier College Preparatory, a Roman Catholic, all-girls high school located at 4710 North Fifth Street in north central Phoenix, has built an outstanding record of academic excellence, innovation, leadership development, athletics and community service. Xavier is twice recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and recognized nationally for academic excellence by the Catholic High School Honor Roll in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Xavier was awarded the 2007-08 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement, honoring high schools with high student success rates in AP math, science and technology courses. The Arizona Interscholastic Association awarded Xavier its prestigious H.A. Hendrickson Award (2009) for overall excellence in interscholastic competition and it's Blue Cup Award (2006) for excellence in scholastics, athletics and activities.

Xavier College Preparatory joins University of Pennsylvania and University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as Thomas Jefferson High School, Girls Leadership Academy of Arizona and Brooks County High School as educational stops on the Drive for Innovation, where Fuller discussed innovations in the electronics industry with students.  During a stop at Brooks County High School in Quitman, GA, Fuller was able to witness high school students creating bio-diesel using leftover fast food oil. 

Avnet Express gives design engineers and purchasing professionals online access to the world's largest catalog of electronic component products, which tops five million parts. Avnet Express offers parametric searching capabilities and the ability to upload a bill of materials (BOM) for easier sourcing of products and a consistent global platform of localized content. The site can be accessed in nine languages and 13 currencies.

Check www.driveforinnovation.com for upcoming locations and to sign up to follow the stories and request that the Volt pull into your town or city for a visit.  Upcoming stops on the "Drive for Innovation" road trip include:

• San Jose, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• San Diego, CA

To learn more about Avnet Express, visit avnetexpress.com.  To follow the "Drive for Innovation" and the Chevrolet Volt as it travels across the United States, visit www.driveforinnovation.com.  Follow the "Drive for Innovation" on Facebook and Twitter.

About Avnet Electronics Marketing

Avnet Electronics Marketing is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. that serves electronic original equipment manufacturers (EOEMs) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers in more than 70 countries, distributing electronic components from leading manufacturers and providing associated design-chain and supply-chain services. The group's website is located at www.em.avnet.com.

About Avnet, Inc.

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers in more than 70 countries worldwide. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended July 2, 2011, Avnet generated revenue of $26.5 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.

About UBM Electronics

UBM Electronics is the global leader in media and marketing solutions for the electronics industry.  UBM Electronics delivers results for the key influencers and decision makers involved in the design, development and commercialization of technology through its market leading brands, peer communities and professional education services.  More than 1.7 million engineering professionals engage with UBM Electronics brands which include EE Times, EDN, Design News, Test & Measurement World, TechOnline, EBN, Datasheets.com, Designlines and Embedded.com across the globe to accelerate technology sales. The international electronics community gathers at UBM Electronics market leading events such as the Embedded Systems Conferences, DesignCon and ARM Technology Conference to share, learn, discuss, and advance the critical issues and challenges facing the electronics industry. Additionally, UBM Electronics provides end-to-end services ranging from next-generation marketing, integrated media, custom solutions and research.  UBM Electronics is part of UBM (UBM.L) a global provider of media and information services for professional B2B communities and markets.

For more information on UBM Electronics please contact:

Felicia Hamerman, Vice President, Marketing
T:  516.562.5652, E: felicia.hamerman@ubm.com

For more information on Avnet Express please contact:

Bethany Helvie, Public Relations, Avnet Electronics Marketing
T:  480.643.7183, E: bethany.helvie@avnet.com

SOURCE UBM Electronics