Xata Corporation | 965 Prairie Center Drive | Eden Prairie, MN | Phone: 952-707-5626 | Fax: 952-641-5872 | jay.coughlan@xata.com
Since Jay Coughlan became chairman, CEO, and president of Xata Corporation—a provider of trucking-fleet management software—sales have grown to more than $65 million and its gross margins have improved significantly. Before joining Xata in 2006, Coughlan served for five years as president and CEO of Lawson Software. During his tenure as Lawson’s CEO, the company's revenues grew from $200 million to $430 million, and Coughlin led the company into a $200 million initial public stock offering—Minnesota’s fifth-largest. In addition to his responsibilities at XATA, Coughlan is an active regional business advocate and a director of Securian Financial Group, Inc.
Born: December 16, 1958
Spouse: Jule Coughlan; married on September 19, 1987
Children: Alexa, Derek, and Tyler
Education: Bachelor of science, business administration, Bloomsburg University of Pennysylvania
Career history: President and CEO, Lawson Software, 2000–2005; executive vice president, worldwide field operations & marketing, Lawson Software, 1999–2000; vice president, health care business unit, Lawson Software, 1995–1999; area sales manager, Lawson Software, 1994–1995; sales director, Lawson Software, 1993–1994; regional sales director, Lawson Software, 1990–1993; account executive, 1987–1990; sales representative, Burroughs/Unisys Corporation, 1984–1987
Outside activities: Board member, Securian; former board member at Capital City Partnership and HighJump Software
Awards received: Xata named fastest growing small public companies, ranked by three-year revenue growth, 2007 and 2008; member in the National Registry: Who’s who in Executive and Professionals, 2005–2006; Lawson Software nominated among best places to work, 1998
Key achievements: Xata: growth has doubled in the last few years; Lawson: chief architect of the strategy to take the company public, fifth largest IPO in Minnesota history, raising $200 million; more than doubled revenue between 1999–2005, $200 million to $430 million; led the successful Lawson and Intentia merger transaction; created the Advanced Leadership Program for Lawson Software, which included local and national speakers and educators; local and national speaker on various business topics
