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Strategic Leadership Evolution at Sonepar
Sonepar, a global leader in electrical distribution, has announced significant executive changes that signal a strategic realignment of its leadership structure. The company is simultaneously strengthening its data center capabilities while managing a planned transition in regional leadership. These developments come as industry observers note increasing consolidation and specialization within the electrical distribution sector, particularly in high-growth verticals.
The timing of these executive moves coincides with broader industry trends, including technological transformation across multiple sectors. As companies like Apple continue to push computing boundaries with advanced chip technology, the infrastructure supporting data centers and communication networks becomes increasingly critical. Similarly, the successful funding rounds for companies like Chobani demonstrate investor confidence in specialized market leaders, a pattern that resonates with Sonepar’s strategic focus.
New Data Center Leadership Role
In a move that underscores the growing importance of digital infrastructure, Sonepar has created a new executive position focused specifically on data center solutions and datacom. Richard Landry has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Data Center Solutions and Datacom in the U.S., effective November 1, 2025. This newly established role represents Sonepar’s commitment to capitalizing on the rapidly expanding data center market.
Landry brings substantial industry credentials to this position, having accumulated over twenty years of experience in electrical distribution. His most notable achievement came during his tenure at Crawford, a Sonepar company, where he joined in 2020 and dramatically expanded the industrial business from $200 million to $700 million. His most recent role as Vice President of Industrial Business for Crawford provided him with deep operational experience that will be valuable in his new capacity.
In his elevated position, Landry will report directly to Dana Mouritzen, Chief Operating Officer of Sonepar in the U.S. This reporting structure emphasizes the strategic importance of the data center vertical within Sonepar’s overall business operations.
Seasoned Executive Retirement
Simultaneously, Sonepar announced the upcoming retirement of Alan Rosenfeld, East Region President in the U.S., effective January 3, 2026. Rosenfeld’s departure concludes a remarkable 43-year career in the electrical distribution industry, marked by consistent growth and expansion achievements.
Rosenfeld’s career trajectory exemplifies the evolution of the electrical distribution industry itself. Beginning in a manager trainee program at a regional California distributor that later became part of Rexel, he steadily advanced through the ranks over 25 years to become Rexel’s West Region President. His career took another significant turn in 2008 when he joined Capital Electric as Chief Operating Officer, eventually being named President in 2014.
Under Rosenfeld’s leadership, Capital Electric underwent a dramatic transformation, growing from a $215 million company into a $1.5 billion Mid-Atlantic powerhouse. His strategic vision included expansion into new markets and enhancement of service capabilities, culminating in the construction of Capital’s 350,000-square-foot distribution center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
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Regional Leadership Legacy
Rosenfeld’s impact expanded significantly in 2018 when he was promoted to East Region President for Sonepar USA. In this capacity, he oversaw a $4.2 billion region that included NorthEast Electrical, Cooper Electric, Capital Electric, and World Electric. His tenure was characterized by aggressive growth through acquisition, playing a pivotal role in the acquisition of seven companies across the East Region.
Reflecting on his career, Rosenfeld emphasized the satisfaction derived from both business achievements and personal relationships. “The most exciting period of my career was building the Capital brand and strengthening the East Region through acquisitions and expansion into new markets,” he stated. “Sonepar’s unwavering support and agility in investment decisions made every day feel full of business possibilities. Separate from the sense of accomplishment you feel after a long career doing what you like, it’s the relationships and friendships that really mean the most to me — and many of those will continue on into the next chapter.”
Industry Context and Future Implications
These leadership changes occur against a backdrop of significant transformation across multiple industries. The broader workforce dynamics are being reshaped by artificial intelligence and technological advancement, creating new demands for the electrical infrastructure that supports digital transformation. Sonepar’s creation of a dedicated data center leadership position acknowledges this shifting landscape.
The simultaneous retirement of an experienced regional president and appointment of a data center specialist reflects the balancing act that established companies must perform: maintaining operational excellence in core businesses while aggressively pursuing growth in emerging sectors. This dual approach positions Sonepar to capitalize on both traditional electrical distribution markets and the rapidly expanding digital infrastructure requirements of the modern economy.
As the electrical distribution industry continues to evolve, Sonepar’s executive moves demonstrate a clear strategic direction. The company appears focused on leveraging its established regional strengths while building specialized expertise in high-growth verticals like data centers, ensuring its continued relevance in an increasingly digital world.
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