Harvey Najim spent thirteen years in various technical, marketing and management capacities for IBM Corporation before founding Star Data Systems in 1980. In 1993, Mr. Najim renamed his company Sirius Computer Solutions, after the brightest star in the night sky. Since then, he has been working to make the company live up to its name. His innovative business vision has led Sirius to become a nationally recognized technology provider with 2012 revenues of approximately $1.3 billion, and about 1,150 employees in 138 locations across the United States. In August, 2011, Mr. Najim passed the role of chief executive officer on to Joe Mertens, and retains the role of executive chairman of Sirius’ board of directors.

Mr. Najim built the company by providing technology solutions from industry leaders such as IBM, as well as forming strategic business relationships with leading software vendors. Initially, the company concentrated on reselling IBM midrange systems, specifically the IBM AS/400, to small and midsize businesses. In 1992, Mr. Najim expanded sales and marketing efforts to include resellers through the IBM Value Add distribution channel. In September 1997, the distribution business was sold to Western Micro Technology (now Avnet Partner Solutions). The user business was spun off as Sirius Computer Solutions.

In February, 2001, Harvey Najim was awarded the IBM Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor given to a Business Partner by IBM. And in June 2006, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by VARBusiness magazine. He was inducted into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2010.

In December 2006, Mr. Najim established the Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation to help children’s charitable organizations in the greater San Antonio, Texas area. Mr. Najim has donated more than $82 million to the Foundation, which supports various public charities that provide children with food, shelter and clothing; advance children’s education and medical treatment; and serve other children’s charitable purposes. Through July 2012, the Najim Family Foundation and Mr. Najim have given out approximately $34 million in grants and pledges to 152 charitable organizations.

Mr. Najim is currently on the board of trustees of St. Mary’s University, the board of directors of The Carver Academy, the advisory board of SAM Ministries, and the advisory board of the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. He is a former member of the board of directors of J.P. Morgan Chase Bank in San Antonio, and is the former chairman of the board of directors of San Antonio Federal Credit Union. He is also a former member of the boards of directors of both Junior Achievement and Respite Care of San Antonio, along with the American Society of Computer Dealers. Mr. Najim continues to be recognized for his outstanding leadership in campaigning for the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.

Mr. Najim graduated from the University of Wichita with a B.A. in Mathematics in 1964, and served his country in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant at HQ BAMC as the Assistant Chief of Data Processing. He attended the President’s Class at the Wharton School of Finance in 1990, as well as the Owner President’s Class at Harvard University in 1994.