Phillips Connect welcomes Mark Wallin as senior VP of products
Phillips Connect recently added Mark Wallin as senior VP of products. In this role, Wallin will support Phillips Connect’s growth by building a product team to leverage data, AI, and intelligent automation to improve customer productivity.
“I am honored to join the Phillips Connect team,” Wallin said. “This opportunity to lead the development of transformative technologies and innovative solutions in the commercial vehicle industry is incredibly exciting. The potential for growth and impact in this role is significant, and I am eager to collaborate with the talented team at Phillips Connect to drive the future of our industry.”
Wallin’s recent background includes almost 10 years in the development of the mobile workforce automation space. He was VP of product management at Kofax. Before that, he was VP of product management for Verizon Connect. Verizon Connect acquired Telogis, an industry innovator of the mobile workforce space, where Wallin was VP of product management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark Wallin to our team as the new senior VP of products,” Rob Phillips, co-founder and CEO of Phillips Connect, said. “Mark’s extensive experience and innovative approach to product development are exactly what we need to continue to propel Phillips Connect forward.”
Lucas Oil announces executive promotions: Morgan Lucas named CEO, Katie Lucas promoted to president
Lucas Oil Products recently promoted Morgan Lucas to CEO and Katie Lucas to president. Morgan has served as the company’s president since May 2020; before that, he was senior VP of sales. Katie previously served as VP of strategy and philanthropy before stepping into the chief administrative officer role in 2022.
As president, Morgan facilitated the company’s growth, was a part of several new product launches, and streamlined operational processes throughout the organization. Morgan was honored as one of Indiana Business Journal’s Forty under 40 in 2023 and was selected as a finalist in the 2022 Indy’s Best and Brightest in the Media, Entertainment, and Sports category.
“These are exciting times for our company, and I am honored to be named CEO as we evolve our brand and vision for Lucas Oil,” said Morgan Lucas, CEO of Lucas Oil Products. “I want to ensure we remain committed to our core line of products—and our amazing customers who have trusted us to protect and prolong their most valued assets—while also creating growth opportunities in new markets. We have already begun making bold moves throughout our organization, including key additions to our exceptional team of professionals. We are in a great place, and I am very proud of everyone’s hard work as we continue our focus on the future of the company.”
In Katie’s role as president of Lucas Oil, she will manage the day-to-day operations and ensure all functional departments are working closely to support the company’s strategic goals. Katie will also continue to lead all of Lucas Oil’s philanthropic and community engagement endeavors.
While serving as Lucas Oil’s Chief Administrative Officer, Katie’s hands-on leadership style helped guide company policies, procedures, campaigns, and growth initiatives. She helped lay the groundwork for an enduring corporate strategy and culture. In 2023, Katie was named Indy’s Best and Brightest by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. In 2022, she was selected as one of Indianapolis Top Forty Under 40 List of Outstanding Young Professionals.
“It is a tremendous honor to be named President of Lucas Oil. We will continue to elevate the Lucas brand while staying true to our heritage. I am immensely proud to say we are a family-led, American-manufactured, and community-focused company,” said Katie Lucas, president of Lucas Oil. “Our focus is to always deliver superior products with a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction and to unequivocally do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason. Morgan and I are truly humbled to be entrusted to carry on the family legacy.”
Jamil Young named president of Fontaine Modification
Jamil Young has been promoted to president of Fontaine Modification. Young has held leadership roles with Fontaine since 2009 and has served as president of Fontaine Modification heavy truck operations since 2014.
Paul Kokalis wraps up more than 35 years at Fontaine Modification, including the last 10 years as president. He is moving to a strategic role at the Transportation Products Group of Marmon Holdings, parent company of Fontaine Modification.
“We are confident Jamil is the right person to lead Fontaine Modification to great heights in the future,” Kokalis said. “His technical knowledge, business acumen, and extensive experience will serve our customers and employees well.”
Young joined Fontaine Modification as a senior operations manager in 2009 after holding engineering and marketing positions at GM, Panasonic Automotive Systems, and Illinois Tool Works. He served as general manager of Fontaine’s modification center in Garland, Texas, in 2010. He was promoted to vice president and general manager of southern region operations in 2011. In 2014, Young took the role of president of Heavy Truck Operations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from FAMU/FSU College of Engineering in Florida.
See also: Fontaine introduces first fifth wheel ‘with a brain’
NMFTA welcomes Nate Ripke as director of commodity and standards development
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association recently welcomed Nate Ripke as commodity and standards development director. A former employee of NMFTA, in this newly created role, he will lead the strategy for simplifying the National Motor Freight Classification and enhancing the user experience of ClassIT.
“His return to NMFTA is a testament to the positive environment we’ve cultivated here at the association,” Debbie Sparks, executive director for NMFTA, said. “We’re eager to leverage his insights to drive our success forward and anticipate the valuable contributions he’ll make. Ripke will make a positive impact on NMFTA’s continued growth with his unique skill set and expertise.”
In his most recent role at Old Dominion, he served as regional manager of weights and inspections and focused on the less-than-truckload sector of the industry. He served as a regional expert in business process analysis, operational improvement, and freight classification.
While at NMFTA, he will be able to utilize his ability to help both domestic and global shipping clients manage their cargo and freight efficiently, with increased knowledge and understanding of the best solutions.
“There is nothing quite like the LTL freight environment,” said Ripke. “I have been mentored by some of the best classification minds in this industry, and I have also experienced the pain points as a classification user myself. Part of reimagining the classification is taking a step back and looking at the entire process. The goal is not just to make it easier to find your NMFC and freight class; it’s to streamline the classification products with the existing digital initiatives driven by the NMFTA.”
Trimble brings on Brian Mulshine to lead fleet maintenance solutions planning
Trimble recently added Brian Mulshine as its new senior director of product management for Trimble’s TMT solution and Connected Maintenance team.
Mulshine has been part of the trucking industry for more than 30 years, most recently serving as the director of digital service delivery at Navistar International. Before his time at Navistar, Mulshine spent just over four years with Rush Enterprises. While in this role, he supported the development planning for RushCare Service Connect, a call center and web application connecting more than 1,000 fleets to the Rush Service Network.
Mulshine will lead Trimble’s innovative Connected Maintenance capabilities, connecting Trimble maintenance technology with a growing network of service centers and OEMs—to develop a maintenance ecosystem for truck manufacturers and fleets of all sizes.
“We are very excited to welcome Brian, one of the key architects of the modern vehicle maintenance movement, to Trimble,” said Michael Kornhauser, senior VP at Trimble. “Trimble has long been a leader in commercial vehicle maintenance technology, and we look forward to exploring the next frontier with Brian—developing impactful maintenance technology that minimizes downtime and reduces unexpected costs for carriers throughout North America.”
