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Leadership from a Cadre of experienced professionals.
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Don Kirkpatrick, chairman of the board, has worked in the application software development business since 1971. Prior to co-founding Information Resources, Ltd. (IRL), an application software company focused on wholesale distributors in 1976, he spent four years developing and implementing inventory management systems for the Bell System. IRL was one of the first software companies to build and implement totally integrated mini-computer based systems for wholesale and retail distribution companies and a value-added reseller of Hewlett-Packard computer systems. In 1981, IRL was acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP) and operated as a wholly owned subsidiary named Information Resources Operation (IRO). IRO’s customer base grew significantly under the HP banner and expanded its reach into Canada, Europe and the Far East. In 1986, Don and his associates acquired IRL from Hewlett-Packard in a management buy-out, re-naming the company Distribution Resources Company (DRC). DRC quickly became HP’s largest value-added reseller and expanded into a number of new vertical distribution markets. During this period, Don was involved in new product development, management of major customer relationships, strategic planning, and business development. In 1994, Don was instrumental in forming a joint venture with Corporate Express, Inc., the world’s largest business-to-business office supply distributor, focusing on building CEI’s new, industry-leading distribution systems. In 1997, DRC was acquired by CEI, where Don served as chief technology officer until he left to help form Cadre Technologies. Don received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Princeton University and is an active member of educational and professional boards. |
