GUIDEPOINT™ ADDS TWO BOARD MEMBERS
Telematics firm adds senior executives from auto insurance, consumer goods industries
PONTIAC, Michigan - October 30, 2006 - GPSi, LLC today announced it has expanded its board from five to seven members, adding two senior-level executives with considerable experience in the consumer products, insurance and automotive industries.
The Pontiac, Mich.-based vehicle telematics supplier said Daniel Mattox and Michael O'Brien joined the closely held company's board of managers, filling newly created seats.Mattox, 57, brings more than three decades of experience in the insurance and automotive industries, including 22 years with Kansas City, Mo.-based Van Enterprises (V.T. Inc.), the largest privately owned auto dealer group in the U.S. His responsibilities at V.T. include oversight and management of the Company's Old United Insurance Group and MPP Company, Inc. affiliates, which provide vehicle and marine service contracts and related insurance products nationwide. Mr. Mattox served in the U.S. Air Force and earned a bachelor's degree in business from Park College. He also serves on the ADP Dealer Systems Dealer Advisory Board.
O'Brien, 53, brings more than three decades of experience in the areas of organizational development, business strategy, and mergers and acquisitions for consumer-oriented companies such as Pulte Homes and PepsiCo. He is also a founding member of Saxon Motorcycles, which builds and distributes a line of semi custom v-twin motorcycles. Mr. O'Brien received his BA degree from the State University College at Fredonia and his MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is a member of University of Detroit's Business Advisory Board, a member of the Detroit Executive Service Corps and Board member for several privately held businesses.
"We are very pleased to add Mike and Dan to our board, and look forward to leveraging their considerable expertise," said Rand Mueller, president and CEO of GPSi. "We are experiencing strong growth in all of the channels where we compete. Guidepoint's combination of high-tech and 'high touch' service is unique in the aftermarket, and that has resonated with dealers, retailers and consumers."
GPSi said sales of its Guidepoint hardware and services showed a strong double-digit increase through the first nine months of 2006. The Company sells to more than 700 new-car dealerships nationwide, as well as hundreds of specialty retailers and dealers of pre-owned vehicles.
About GPSi
GPSi develops and markets telematics solutions for the automotive aftermarket. Based in Pontiac, Michigan, GPSi draws on more than three decades of experience supplying mobile electronics to the automotive aftermarket, as well as 15 years experience in vehicle tracking. The Company's Guidepoint™ telematics service, which is available through leading auto dealers in the United States and Mexico, lets drivers access a range of safety, security and convenience options including 24/7 vehicle tracking, emergency dispatch, roadside assistance, discounted hotel and dining and more. Visit www.guidepointsystems.com or call 1-877-GPS-FIND for more information.
CONTACT: Brian Edwards
VP Corp. Development
1-877-GPS-FIND ext. 3102
(brian@guidepointsystems.com)
At Guidepoint Systems we strive to provide the total driving solution, from upgrading your service plan to purchasing special services. We hope your GPS visit is simple and fun.
It’s a digital world – and your car is no exception. That’s why Guidepoint and Cingular® have introduced the industry’s first all-digital system for stolen vehicle recovery, driver safety / convenience and fleet management. With the new digital Guidepoint, you’ll get faster, more reliable service throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
"Frost & Sullivan is pleased to recognize Guidepoint's ability to grow consistently, year after year, with the 2007 Best Bang for the Buck of the Year Award in stolen vehicle tracking systems,” said Frost & Sullivan’s Sathyanarayana K, research analyst. “We attribute this success to the company's service orientation, the positive relationships that it has built with dealers and distributors, and the unique hardware/software package that it offers to end-users."
