Systemax Names Sprosty As Fiorentino's Successor

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 10/4/2011

Port Washington, N.Y. - Systemax has named former Best Buy executive David Sprosty as chief executive of its North American Technology Products Group, effective immediately.

The position, which oversees the company's CompUSA, TigerDirect and CircuitCity.com retail businesses, had been held on an interim basis by vice chairman Robert Leeds following the dismissal of Gilbert Fiorentino last spring for improprieties.

Sprosty joins Systemax from The ROIG Group, a management consultancy specializing in CE retail, product development, services and mobility, where he served as managing partner. Prior to that, he spent 11 years at Best Buy where he held various management positions including CEO of the retailer's successful Best Buy Mobile joint venture; senior VP of emerging devices; senior VP and chief operating officer of customer centricity; and senior VP of the computing/peripheral/digital business group.

Prior to Best Buy he was CEO of Pacific Mobile and Wireless (dba MobilWorks).

 In a statement, Systemax chairman Richard Leeds said Sprotsy "brings extensive and valuable experience in the retail and consumer electronics industry to our executive management team. He is a customer-centric and visionary business leader, with experience in strategic planning, operational execution and business development. He has a proven track record of success in delivering sustainable revenue growth throughout his career and in his 11 years at Best Buy was instrumental in the development of that retailer's connected devices business lines.

"Under David's leadership we believe the technology group will continue to execute on its current initiatives and grow into an even stronger contender within the consumer and business-to-business electronics sectors."

Systemax never specified Fiorentino's offenses, but said they occurred over a number of years and were limited to his Miami-based operations, which are now being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He resigned in May after surrendering about $11 million in assets including cash and common stock.