09 Sep Inacom's former CEO named as one of the top women in the technology channel
Madison – Everything Channel’s CRN Magazine has named Laurie Benson, former CEO of Inacom Information Systems (now Core BTS) as one of the Top 100 Women in the Channel. The award recipients were judged on their achievements as executives and the amount of their influence in the technology channel.
The Top 100 Women in the Channel represent a changing trend in a traditionally all male industry. The list includes women executives from IT industry leaders, including Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft and VMware. It also marks the 25th consecutive year that Benson has been in the channel. “I would have to say that the women leaders in IT in the channel have gone out of their way to support me and others. I feel that any one of us would help each other through any crisis or opportunity. Great minds and big hearts. These women are my friends,” said Benson.
Benson, co-founder and CEO for 25 years before retiring in July, helped the business grow into one of Wisconsin’s largest IT solutions providers until she retiring in July. While Laurie was the CEO, she worked tirelessly to promote Wisconsin’s emerging technology industry and technology education, particularly for females both locally and nationally. Laurie continues her outreach by serving as a Director for WWBIC (Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative), First Business Bank, Valicom, and Henry Vilas Zoological Society boards. Laurie is the recipient of the 2009 Dane County Small Business Advocate Award and the SBA’s 2009 National Women in Business Champion. One
The editors have said that one of the things that stood out in selecting the women who made the list was their sense of community aimed at promoting themselves and each other. Laurie Benson is no exception. Enabling others to realize their potential, and giving back to our communities, Benson’s philosophy is centered on the golden rule. “Now that my employees and customers are cared for, I am going to focus on community outreach.” said Benson when asked about her goals for this year.
Benson was also a driving force behind Wisconsin’s 2007 participation in the “Make Mine a Million $ Business” program of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence. The program was designed to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to reach the $1 million revenue mark by 2010 and provides money, mentoring, marketing, and technology tools for program winners.