Rand McNally Names Doug Phillips as new CEO

CHICAGO, March 19, 2024 – Rand McNally, a renowned leader in navigation, fleet management, and commercial transportation technology, today announced that Doug Phillips has been selected as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Phillips takes the helm of the rapidly expanding company on the heels it recent acquisition of Safety Direct, a global leader in onboard sensory hardware and software.

Mr. Phillips brings to Rand McNally an impressive 30-year track record of leadership and success in various international businesses, notably in the commercial vehicle, industrial, and technology sectors. His expertise across all corporate operations, including sales, distribution, operations, and mergers and acquisitions, will be invaluable as the company continues to expand its market presence and product offerings.

“Rand McNally is a company with a long, proud heritage and even more exciting future,” said Kevin Hatch, Rand McNally Chairman. “Doug has all the skills and experience necessary to accelerate the company’s growth and execute our vision for its future. Even more important, he has a well-established record of success with large corporations undergoing major transformation.”

Most recently, Phillips has proven his exceptional leadership skills as the CEO of Syringa Networks in Boise, where he has been instrumental in driving revenue growth and technology innovation. As CEO of ECCO Safety Group, he executed a global facility consolidation that lowered overhead, increased efficiency, and led to dramatically higher margins. His expertise in large-scale mergers was showcased during his tenure as COO through the successful $1.1 billion integration that followed Ericsson’s acquisition of Cradlepoint.

Of special interest to Rand McNally and its partners is Phillips’ experience in the commercial vehicle space, where the Ford Motor Company, Daimler Truck, Paccar, and a host of other industry leaders have been among his OEM customers. His unique blend of engineering, manufacturing, and business skills helped him develop deep insight into their distinct needs and adapt company processes to serve them better.

“I’m honored and excited by the opportunity to lead America’s very first name in navigation on its continuing journey into the fleet management and connected vehicle spaces,” Phillips said. “With the recent acquisition of Safety Direct, Rand McNally has the best devices, software, and data collection capabilities on the market today. I’m looking forward to bringing these assets together to help commercial fleets operate efficiently – and drivers return home safely.”

With a B.S. in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from The Pennsylvania State University, Mr. Phillips's academic background complements his professional expertise. His experience includes multiple corporate functions in the transportation and technology sectors, including many roles with P&L responsibilities. This background, coupled with his service as a US Naval officer, has equipped him with a unique blend of experience and leadership skills that align well with Rand McNally’s evolving focus.

Mr. Phillips, his wife, and their two sons are proud to call Idaho their home since 2016, and the community has warmly welcomed his contributions both in business and in civic engagement.
About Rand McNally – Rand McNally has been guiding safe journeys for more than 167 years. With a full suite of innovative technology and devices, the company has established itself as a leader in fleet management and commercial transportation technology.

For more information, please contact:
George Minehart
George.minehart@randmcnally.com
312-692-1385