PeopleNet, a provider of integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems, today announced that Mark Botticelli has joined the company as executive vice president and head of technology, and several company veterans have been promoted to executive-level positions to drive the company’s continued growth through innovation. Brian McLaughlin recently replaced former PeopleNet founder and CEO Ron Konezny, who was named general manager of Trimble’s expanding Worldwide Transportation and Logistics (T&L) division.
“Brian’s leadership of marketing, product development, communications and sales programs over the last 10 years has helped garner double-digit year-after-year growth,” Konezny says. “As head of what we consider to be the North American crown jewel of our T&L efforts, he has rounded out a leadership team that has inspired incredible growth. The appointments of these proven talents will continue to develop, introduce and support technological advancements that will help the transportation industry operate more efficiently and safely.”
Botticelli brings 25 years of experience providing technology innovation, strategic leadership and product delivery. He is responsible for PeopleNet’s North American technology strategy and product delivery across wireless, software, hardware, infrastructure and quality assurance. He previously led the development of several mobile worker-centric and vehicle-centric applications within Trimble’s Mobile Resource Management business.
New Senior Sales Vice Presidents Garland Jackson and Mark Kessler are assuming more market management authority and will be collaborating with Jamie Williams, president of PeopleNet Canada, on key operating issues.
Jackson, in addition to leading regional accounts, is adding small markets, sales operations and sales engineering to his gamut, and will focus on common processes across the United States. Prior to joining PeopleNet 12 years ago, he held senior management positions at UPS in ground and air operations, customer service, product and business development, and sales and marketing. He also was involved in the launch and deployment of UPS’s first wireless communication service initiative and research development for UPS subsidiary World Wide Logistics.
Kessler will continue to manage the growth of national accounts while overseeing PeopleNet’s expansion into Mexico and other strategic markets. Kessler, who sits on the National Private Truck Council Advisory Board, serves on several committees of the American Trucking Associations and has served on the Truckload Carriers Association board of directors. The former publisher/associate publisher for several Randall-Reilly Publishing trucking publications and co-founder of Trucking Co. Magazine (now CCJ), and TCA’s Commercial Carrier University has been invited to speak at more than 30 transportation conferences.
Rick Ochsendorf, former operations vice president, is now senior vice president of operations and product management with added product strategy and management responsibilities. Ochsendorf had nearly 20 years of transportation experience before joining PeopleNet, having spent more than nine years at Berger Transfer and Storage in accounting, sales and operations, followed by 10 years at Q Carriers leading the operations, maintenance and recruiting. During Ochsendorf’s leadership of PeopleNet’s operations over the past six years, he developed the Professional Services program to reinforce the company’s focus on creating ROI for customers.
