SmartDrive Systems, a provider of driving performance systems that reduce collisions and improve fuel efficiency, announced the appointment of Richard ‘Dick’ Savage as senior director of sales. With more than 20 years of sales experience within the telematics and transportation industry, Savage will be responsible for managing SmartDrive’s strategic partner relationships and spearheading the company’s expansion efforts into new verticals.
“Fleets are struggling to make sense out of the exponential increase in data that comes from a variety of on-board systems and specialty equipment on their vehicles,” said Savage. “As the only video-based safety program with an open platform, and a team of analytic and optimization experts, SmartDrive is in a unique position to develop meaningful partnerships that deliver real value to fleets. I look forward to joining the team and supporting its ongoing growth efforts through effective partner collaborations and new market development.”
Savage comes to SmartDrive from Navman Wireless, a global GPS fleet and asset management technology provider, where he served as director of U.S. construction sales for more than four years. Prior to Navman, Savage served as director of sales for Topcon, and spent 12 years at Qualcomm, most recently as director of sales within the company’s Wireless Business Solutions division.
With a strong background in cultivating strategic relationships and spearheading sales expansion efforts, Savage will be responsible for leading the company’s partner and vertical market teams. In addition to developing existing relationships with SmartDrive’s partners, Meritor WABCO and ProSight, Savage will focus on specific vertical markets, such as Transit and Government.
“Dick’s extensive experience in managing dynamic sales teams in the telematics and transportation space, along with his ability to foster meaningful relationships with key channel partners, will play a pivotal role as we continue to build a strong partner ecosystem around our open platform,” said Mike Baker, vice president of worldwide sales at SmartDrive. “His leadership skills and passion for delivering results will help further expand our business and better serve our customers. We’re thrilled to have him on our team.”
