Gianfranco Lanci's promotion to the position of President of Acer Inc. in 2004 reflects the company's recognition for his outstanding performance in the European market, including his management style and successful channel-business model, which may now extend to the Acer group worldwide. Lanci brings with him a keen understanding of cross-regional and cross-cultural differences.

Lanci joined Acer as Managing Director of Acer Italy in 1997, following Acer's acquisition of Texas Instruments' (TI) notebook division, and immediately began consolidating the channel- and partner- relations at all levels. His commitment to brand promotion has made Acer the number-one ranking notebook brand in Italy since 1997. In 2000, Lanci became President of Acer Europe and began building up a strong European organization. On becoming President of Acer EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) in 2002, Lanci introduced his proven channel-business model that turned in record-making profits all across Europe, into the Middle East and African markets.

In 2003 Lanci was appointed President of Acer's International Operations Business Group, allowing him to involve directly in the Americas markets. The designation confirmed Acer's acknowledgement of his outstanding channel management and marketing activities, and for the key role he played for Acer's success in EMEA.

Lanci's record of outstanding results includes growing Acer EMEA's 2004 revenues by 63% year-on-year, and accounting for nearly 70% of the IT product business' total revenue. In the 2004 full year and fourth quarter, Acer became the number-one notebook and number-three PC brands across both EMEA and Western Europe. EMEA is now the most profitable market for Acer.

Born in Turin in 1954, Lanci graduated from the Politecnico of Turin with a degree in civil engineering. He joined Texas Instruments Italia in 1981, and at the age of 37 became Country Manager for the Portable Computers and Printers Division in Italy, the Middle East and Africa. In 1996 he was appointed President of EMEA for TI's Personal Productivity Products Division. When TI's portable PC business merged with Acer in 1997, Lanci became Managing Director of Acer Italy.

Despite the demands of his many international business commitments, Lanci still manages to devote quality time to his family, and enjoys reading and playing tennis.