Meet Hans Molin, Rand McNally's Chief Technology Officer
At Rand McNally, our commitment to innovation and safety is driven by the incredible people behind our products. One of those individuals is our Chief Technology Officer, Hans Molin. A leader in the fields of navigation, telematics, and vehicle safety, Hans brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for road safety to our team. You can read more about Hans in his interview with PR Newswire.
In this Q&A, we dive into his role at Rand McNally, his extensive background, and a few fun facts about his life outside of work.
Q: Hans, as CTO of Rand McNally, can you tell us a little about your new role and what you’re focused on?
Hans Molin: Absolutely! As CTO, I’m responsible for overseeing product planning, development and lifecycle across Rand McNally’s entire portfolio, which includes our fleet management solutions, consumer electronics, and advanced telematics. My main focus is on driving customer-centric innovations that embody the principles of safety, simplicity, and trust. We’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance our products and services to make roads safer for everyone. It’s an exciting time to be part of Rand McNally, and our technology stack and team agility position us perfectly for the next phase of growth.
Q: Your career in the technology and transportation sectors is impressive. How did it all start?
Hans Molin: It began in Gothenburg, Sweden, at Volvo Cars. I joined the Active Safety Department there, and one of the first projects I led was the development of the world's first roll stability control system for SUVs. I was lucky to be involved in a pivotal moment for vehicle safety technology. With Ford’s ownership of Volvo, I moved to the U.S. to collaborate on various projects, which eventually led to a role as regional head of technical quality for Volvo Cars in California.
Q: How did your work at Volvo shape your approach to safety and connectivity?
Hans Molin: My time at Volvo taught me the importance of an end-to-end approach to vehicle safety and quality. I was involved in every stage of product development, from concept to implementation, and even worked with dealerships to understand customer feedback directly. This holistic view helped me realize that true innovation in safety requires seamless integration of technology, from advanced sensors to data collection systems. It's about not just creating solutions but ensuring they make a real difference on the road.
Q: You also played a significant role in founding SafetyDirect. How did that come about?
Hans Molin: That’s right. After my time at Volvo, I joined Iteris, where we developed lane departure warning systems for commercial vehicles. During this period, we began collecting data on driver behavior and vehicle performance. We saw that this data had tremendous potential to improve road safety, which led to the creation of SafetyDirect in 2008. Over the years, SafetyDirect evolved into a comprehensive safety solution, using data and connectivity to give fleet managers the insights they needed to coach drivers and prevent accidents. Being part of that journey was incredibly rewarding.
Q: What excites you the most about your work with Rand McNally now?
Hans Molin: It’s the chance to build on Rand McNally’s rich heritage while leading the way in new technologies. I love building and leading a highly skilled, tight-knit team, and seeing them take a product from an idea to something that impacts people’s lives in a positive way. Here, we’re combining cutting-edge technology with a customer-focused approach to make roads safer, and we do it quickly and efficiently. We’re tackling some of the biggest challenges in the industry, and I believe we’re well-positioned to overcome them.
Q: Speaking of challenges, what do you see as the biggest hurdle for fleet managers and owners in the coming years?
Hans Molin: One of the biggest challenges for them will be cutting through the noise. With so many companies offering solutions and buzzwords like "AI" being thrown around, it can be hard for fleets to distinguish what actually works. Our task is to use our deep data and technology to simplify, not complicate, things for our customers. The goal is to provide meaningful insights, not just more information, so fleet managers can make informed decisions quickly.
Q: You’ve mentioned that road safety is a personal passion for you. Can you share more about that?
Hans Molin: Safety has always been at the heart of my work. When I was developing safety systems at Volvo and later at SafetyDirect, it was about more than just building a product. It was about making sure people don’t die on the roads. I’ve spent a lot of time away from my family traveling for work, and the thing that always kept me going was the knowledge that what we do makes a difference. I get emotional when I talk about it because it’s such a big deal. It’s not just technology—it’s about saving lives.
Q: It’s clear you have a deep commitment to your work. What do you enjoy doing in your personal life?
Hans Molin: I’m a pretty active person. I love mountain biking, trail running and mountaineering, and living in Southern California gives me plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. My family and I also spend a lot of time in Sweden, where we have a small summer house. My wife, Ulrika, is a talented photographer, and our daughters, Linn and Allie, are both into the arts. Linn is a junior at UC Santa Barbara, double-majoring in Dance and Psychology, and Allie is a high school senior who lives for playing jazz trumpet. Music has always been a big part of our lives. It’s great to have a household that's so full of creativity and activity.
Q: As a father, what do you hope your work teaches your daughters?
Hans Molin: I hope they see that it’s possible to find a career that not only pays the bills but also aligns with your values. My work has always been about making the world a safer place, and that’s something I’m proud of. I want them to know that they can pursue their passions, work hard, and make a difference in whatever they choose to do.
Q: Lastly, what’s one thing most people wouldn’t guess about you? You seem to be a bit of a Renaissance man?
Hans Molin: (Laughs) I would love to be seen that way. I love learning new things and I tend to get annoyingly passionate and geek out into anything I do . . . I have a great passion for music, from Renaissance choral music to jazz, classical and rock. I love good food, good wine and a good whiskey. I also love photography and astrophotography. My wife and I used to sing in choirs and lead music groups back in Sweden. These days, I enjoy watching my daughters perform. Spending a lot of time in front of computers in my job, on my free time I love building things with my hands – whether it is an instrument stand, and telescope mount, a backyard deck or a new wall in the house, or cooking and baking sour dough bread…
