Technology >> CEO Interviews >> August 7, 2000
GORDON B. HOFFSTEIN, is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Be Free,
Inc. A pioneer in the personal-computer industry, Mr. Hoffstein, created
and led several technology distribution ventures. Prior to joining Be
Free as Chief Executive Officer, he co-founded PCs Compleat, Inc., the
nation's first super direct reseller of personal-computer products and
services. Mr. Hoffstein negotiated the sale of the company to CompUSA,
Inc., in 1996. Prior to founding PCs Compleat, Inc., he founded
MicroAmerica Inc., one of the country's first value-added microcomputer
distributors. In 1989, 1994 and 1995, Mr. Hoffstein was named a finalist
for the Retail/Distribution 'Entrepreneur of the Year Award,' sponsored
by Inc. magazine, Ernst & Young and Merrill Lynch. He was also
identified as one of the '25 Most Influential Executives in the Personal
Computer Industry' by Computer Reseller News in 1985, 1987 and 1988. He
serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Software Council and has served
on the Board of Directors of a number of industry leading companies,
including AGS Computers, Inc., Professional Software, Inc., and
Clearpoint Research. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration,
magna cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of
Business Administration from Babson College where he currently serves on
the Graduate Advisory Board. Profile
Free?
Mr. Hoffstein: Be Free was founded in 1996. It was two companies coming
together: Tom Gerace, one of our
