Written by Symone Graham, Staff Writer for Charlotte Business Journal. Originally posted to Charlotte Business Journal on Mar. 6, 2024.
Passport has made more changes to its leadership team as the Charlotte company gears up for growth.
Passport, a software company specializing in mobile payments for transportation, has named co-founder Khristian Gutierrez its new CEO. He returns to Passport after departing in 2021 from his role there as chief revenue officer, a position he held for a decade. Gutierrez replaces Brian Mooney, who has served as Passport’s interim CEO and a member of its board of directors since 2019.
Bob Youakim, Passport’s other co-founder and former CEO, will also take on a new role. He has transitioned from board chair to executive chairman. In that position, he will leverage his background to assist in the company’s growth, new market opportunities and innovation efforts.
Gutierrez said their return to operational roles at the company was fueled by their vision to sustain the legacy and future of Passport.
“As co-founders, Bob and I have a deep-rooted connection to Passport, and in this pivotal time of growth within the industry and the company, we are stepping back into operational roles to navigate through this new chapter,” Gutierrez told CBJ.
Prior to returning to Passport, Gutierrez served as CEO of Charlotte public-safety software company CivicEye. The startup, which launched in January 2022, aims to modernize law enforcement and prosecution agencies’ old-fashioned data infrastructure.
Gutierrez is now serving in an advisory role at CivicEye, where he will still be able to support the company’s goals and growth. Joshua South, formerly head of operations at CivicEye, was named president, he said.
“This shift allows me to dedicate the necessary focus to Passport while still contributing to CivicEye’s mission and success,” Gutierrez said.
The transition follows multiple changes made previously to Passport’s executive team. In February 2022, the company named Sathish Gaddipati as its chief technology officer, replacing Brad Powers who was CTO at Passport for a decade. Powers transitioned that year to chief innovation officer, which was a new position for the company.
Then in September 2021, the firm hired Doug Rogers as chief revenue officer, replacing Gutierrez. The company also named Vanna Krantz, a former Disney executive, as its chief financial officer that year, replacing Hunter Louis.
Established in 2010, Passport works in parking enforcement, payments and permitting. Micromobility, with e-scooters and bicycles, is another focus.
The leadership shakeup comes as Passport has recognized mobile parking is now more popular in cities, however, enforcement continues to be a major challenge. Passport’s curb management platform allows for cities to gather evidence, issue warnings and citations, and strengthen revenue recovery.
The company is looking to deepen its innovation in the space to meet the increased demand of its technology. Passport’s data also found that nearly 86% of 2023 citations were settled online, signaling the advantages of mobile parking payment methods.
“In this time of transformation, our resolve is stronger than ever to support cities and private operators as they navigate the intricacies of curb management,” Gutierrez said.
Passport works with more than 800 clients across North America and has supported more than 5,000 locations. It has over 150 employees.
Gutierrez said the company is working toward strengthening its client partnerships and focusing on developing new tools that align with its mission.
“We’re building on the strong momentum we’ve established, aiming to lead the way in creating sustainable, efficient and user-friendly urban ecosystems,” he said.
www.passportinc.com/blog/passport-shakes-up-c-suite-as-charlotte-tech-company-plans-for-more-growth/
