SAN JOSE – Flex today named veteran electronics executive Revathi Advaithi chief executive of the EMS company, succeeding Michael McNamara.

Advaithi, 51, was president and chief operating officer for the Electrical Sector business for Eaton. She also had corporate responsibility for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The unit is the Eaton's largest, and Advaithi is credited with landing more than $13 billion in sales in 2018.

“This is a time of tremendous opportunity in manufacturing, as trends such as regionalization, artificial intelligence, 5G and advanced manufacturing all combine to improve the way we live and work,” said Advaithi. “With locations in 30 countries and expertise in a dozen industry verticals, Flex has the necessary breadth and depth to help companies develop and launch innovative products at global scale and intelligently manage a shifting business landscape. I look forward to building upon Flex’s 50-year history and strength in manufacturing.” 

“The Board conducted an extensive and thorough search, considering both internal and external candidates,” said Michael Capellas, chairman of the Board of Directors for Flex. “Revathi's depth and breadth of capabilities from engineering to manufacturing to advanced supply chain management coupled with her exceptional leadership and proven track record make her the ideal choice to lead Flex. We are confident that she will lead Flex to realize its full potential."

Advaithi began her career as a mechanical engineer in her native India, then moved to the US where she started her Eaton career on the factory floor as a plant supervisor in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Over the years, she expanded her engineering role to international markets, adding operational management and supply chain expertise.

She has a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India and an MBA in International Business from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, AZ. She is a non-executive director at BAE Systems.

Last October, Flex announced the pending departure of CEO and president Mike McNamara .  He spent 24 years at Flex, 12 as CEO.