Teletrac Navman names Ricardo Buranello chief executive

Teletrac Navman has appointed Ricardo Buranello as Chief Executive Officer. He will take up the role after Alain Samaha steps down and remains on the board.

Buranello is currently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the fleet management and connected mobility company. The leadership change takes effect on 1 October 2026, with Samaha remaining Chief Executive Officer until the end of September to oversee the handover.

The appointment puts a long-serving internal executive in charge of a business operating in the telematics and vehicle asset management market. Samaha will remain a member of the Board of Directors and support the company's long-term strategy.

Buranello joined the company as Chief Financial and Operating Officer and has worked across its finance and operations functions. He brings more than two decades of international experience in telematics, IoT and technology businesses.

Before joining Teletrac Navman, he held leadership roles at Telit Cinterion, Siemens and Totvs. His appointment signals continuity as the company develops its connected mobility software and fleet management products.

Board backing

Jonathan Olefson, Chairman of the Board at Teletrac Navman, set out the board's view of the succession decision.

"This represents an ideal time for Teletrac's next phase of leadership, and we're confident that Ricardo is the right person for the job," said Jonathan Olefson, Chairman of the Board at Teletrac Navman.

"Ricardo is a proven, mission-oriented leader who understands our business from the inside out. We look forward to what he and the entire team will accomplish."

Olefson also credited the outgoing Chief Executive Officer with helping shape the company's current position in the market.

"Alain helped transform Teletrac into a global leader in telematics and fleet management solutions. We are grateful for his vision, passion, and many contributions, and look forward to working with him on the Board," he said.

Samaha said the handover follows a period in which the company strengthened its position in the telematics sector. He will remain involved through the board, preserving continuity during the transition.

"Leading Teletrac has been one of the great privileges of my professional life. I am proud of what we have done together, and I am equally excited about what lies ahead for Teletrac. Ricardo is the right leader for this moment. His strategic clarity and deep understanding of our business will serve Teletrac, our customers, and our employees well into the future," said Alain Samaha, Chief Executive Officer, Teletrac Navman.

Strategic direction

Teletrac Navman operates globally and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. The company focuses on software and services used by organisations managing vehicle fleets and equipment assets.

Its products compete in the telematics, fleet tracking and connected mobility market, where providers are adding more data analysis and artificial intelligence capabilities to logistics and transport systems. Buranello will lead the next stage of work on its cloud-based connected mobility platform.

The company also presented the appointment as part of a broader expansion effort in the telematics industry. Buranello will inherit a business focused on extending its software offering while maintaining operational stability for existing customers.

Buranello acknowledged the board's decision and pointed to continuity in the company's approach.

"I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and energised by the opportunities ahead. Our customers, employees, and partners can count on the same dedication to innovation, excellence, and delivering meaningful results that has been at the core of Teletrac since the beginning," said Ricardo Buranello, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Teletrac Navman.

Teletrac Navman is backed by Respida, a software-focused private equity firm. The management change keeps leadership within the existing executive team while Samaha remains involved at board level.