Veteran Growth Executive John Connolly Joins SmartDrive Board of Directors

Sixth Street Partners Senior Advisor Brings Tech Expertise and Track Record of Innovation, Vision and Execution to Help Drive SmartDrive Growth Trajectory

SmartDrive Systems, a leader in video-based safety and transportation intelligence, today announced the appointment of John Connolly, senior advisor with Sixth Street Partners, to the SmartDrive Board of Directors. With a 30-year track record in creating successful businesses, Connolly partners with Sixth Street portfolio companies’ CEOs and management teams to take advantage of strategic and operational issues associated with growth.

“On the heels of the $90 million funding round led by Sixth Street late last year, I’m thrilled to join the SmartDrive Board,” stated Connolly. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for this business—40% year-over-year revenue growth and growing adoption by the world’s best commercial fleets are indicative of the industry’s recognition that SmartDrive is the undisputed leader when it comes to innovation and timely delivery of advanced solutions.”

A multi-time CEO, Connolly has raised over $100 million and created more than $1.5 billion in shareholder value in partnership with 12 financial sponsors. Connolly has served as chairman, non-executive chairman or director of more than 25 boards of directors.

Connolly was previously a managing director at Bain Capital Ventures, chairman and CEO of M|C Communications, president and CEO of Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), and held several senior positions at IBM. He founded two companies, Mainspring, Inc., which grew from a startup to a publicly traded company that was purchased by IBM, and Course Technology, which was sold to the Thomson Corporation.

“We welcome the addition of John to an impressive roster of SmartDrive board members and look forward to tapping his expansive expertise and experience to help drive continued business growth,” noted Dave Vucine, chairman of the board.

Category: Fleet Tracking, General Update, Management, Safety