XRS Corporation recently announced that it has hired two industry veterans for executive positions and promoted Christian Schenk, who successfully led the company’s rebranding and repositioning, to a new leadership role as senior vice president, business development and strategy.
Jon Van Winkle, formerly with Qualcomm, will join XRS as vice president product management.He will be responsible for all aspects of strategic direction and oversight around the innovation, development and maintenance of XRS product offerings including NXT, the company’s new collaboration with Verizon Wireless and Samsung Mobile. Van Winkle will report to company president, chief operating officer & chief technology officer, Brendan Reidy.
“XRS is in a vanguard position within the fleet telematics marketplace and has successfully defined an entirely new category of mobile trucking technology,” said Van Winkle. “I am excited to help lead such a progressive company with incredible potential for future product innovation and growth.”
Experienced software engineer, Arvind Sharma, most recently with Riverbed Technology, will sign on as vice president of engineering for XRS. In his new role at XRS, Sharma will oversee all aspects of software development and architecture and lead the XRS engineering team in designing, testing and implementing new products and product enhancements. Like Van Winkle, he will also report to Brendan Reidy.
“I am pleased to be working with XRS because this is a company on the rise,” Sharma said. “XRS is pioneering a new way of thinking about fleet telematics, and there is incredible potential to provide real and lasting value to the entire industry.”
Schenk has been with XRS (formerly Xata Corporation) since 2010 and. He is known throughout the industry for his technology expertise, extensive knowledge and in-depth, hands-on experience in process management, business development and transportation logistics. Schenk is also an active member of several industry boards and councils, including CTIA – The Wireless Association.
In his new role, Schenk will continue to drive the company’s efforts to boost recognition for and availability of the XRS solution in the market through direct and indirect channel marketing, as well as through partnerships and alliances. Schenk will work closely with product management, sales and marketing in fueling the company’s growth strategy. He will report to XRS’ executive vice president of field operations, Jim DeSocio.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished at XRS in creating an entirely new platform that has been embraced enthusiastically by the trucking industry,” said Schenk. “I look forward to working with the rest of the leadership team to boost our market penetration and ensure further adoption of the XRS solution throughout North America."
“As XRS expands its pioneering lead in the mobile marketplace, we are committed to aligning our leadership team to support continued growth and success,” said Jay Coughlan, chairman and CEO, XRS Corporation. “Christian, Arvind and Jon have each demonstrated their creativity and strategic guidance in our industry, and all three will be critically important leaders as XRS continues to break new ground in the mobile trucking intelligence segment.”
