Paul Knight is the Founder & Chairman of CNE Direct. Paul founded CNE Direct in 2002 with the inspiration to develop a robust electronics marketplace to sell excess, obsolete and retired IT assets. This marketplace would help provide a sustainable alternative to reuse hardware that was often disposed of in an environmentally harmful manner.
With over 35 years of leadership in technology, Paul’s vision and focus has remained consistent throughout − to help companies manage the challenges resulting from rapid changes in supply and demand for electronic products worldwide. Paul and his team have developed innovative programs that help assist some of the world’s leading technology companies find alternative channels for their retired and trailing edge technology, while supporting a sustainable circular economy.
Prior to founding CNE Direct, Paul served as Vice President and General Manager at NECX (now Converge, an Arrow Electronics Company) responsible for leading the organizations’ trading operations and establishing a new international sales division.
Paul is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and holds a Certificate of Foreign Studies from Sophia University in Tokyo.
Current role