New CEO for Power Distribution Inc.

Power Distribution, Inc. (PDI) has named Keith Schmid as Chief Executive Officer, the company said last week. Schmid replaces Rich Combs, who will serve as PDI Executive Chairman. Schmid comes to PDI from Exide Technologies where he was General Manager of Exide Industrial Energy - Americas, and also has held positions at Philips Consumer Communications, AT&T/Lucent Power Systems and AT&T Bell Laboratories.

"Keith possesses a strong combination of skills," said Combs. "Combined with extensive experience as both customer and supplier of power-based solutions, particularly in data center and telecommunications applications, Keith will bring substantial leadership and experience to PDI and its partners and customers."

PDI is based in Richmond, Virginia and is a leading provider of power distribution equipment and services. Its majority owner is Bertram Capital Management, a private equity firm in Palo Alto, Calif. with $350 million in capital under management.