Crescent Electric Supply Co. has named Penny Cotner as president and chief executive officer, effective Oct.1.
Cotner joins the Illinois-based distributor after more than a decade at Infinite Electronics, a global supplier of electronic components. She has served as CEO there for the past seven years and sat on the company’s board. Her tenure included acquisitions and operational expansion that broadened Infinite’s market reach.
Earlier in her career, Cotner held roles at Arrow Electronics, one of the world’s largest electronic components distributors, in sales and operations. She also worked on NASA’s International Space Station program in engineering and program management positions. Overall, her career spans more than 20 years in executive leadership, engineering, global operations, and sales transformation.
“Her experience and operational discipline will guide Crescent through its next chapter,” said Mike Sullivan, chair of Crescent’s board.
Cotner said she was “honored” to join Crescent, describing the company as a respected, family-owned distributor with a long-standing reputation in the electrical supply market.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from California State University, Northridge, an executive MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and executive education certificates from Harvard Business School.
Cotner will replace Kristi Dahlke, Crescent’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, who served as interim CEO during the search process and will continue in her CFO role.
Founded in 1919, Crescent Electric operates at more than 140 branches across 28 states. Its regional operations include BA Supply in Missouri, Interstate Electric Supply in Idaho and Oregon, Mesco Electrical Supply in Ohio, National Electric Supply in New Mexico, Womack Electric Supply in Virginia and North Carolina, Stoneway Electric in Washington and Idaho, and Lowe Electric in Georgia and South Carolina.
Don’t miss any content from Distribution Strategy Group. Join our list.
