Diego Borrego of Award-Winning Networkcar
With endless to-do lists at work, appointments and meetings to remember, and constant errands to run, there is high likelihood that you might forget some of your minor personal tasks. Enter Networkcar! The brainchild of Diego A. Borrego, Founder and Director of Product Engineering, Networkcar offers real-time wireless vehicle management for personal or business purposes. Simply put, this system includes GPS tracking, remote diagnostics, preventative maintenance alerts, reporting for fleet vehicles, and a stolen vehicle recovery program. It’s easy enough to use if you’re a parent looking to track your teen’s car use or, perhaps, a truck fleet owner working to reduce operating costs. To learn more about how Diego turned his boyhood truck driving dream into a multi-million dollar and multi-award winning concept, read more in this week’s Young and Professional Profile.

Company
Networkcar, a subsidiary of Hughes Telematics Inc.
Founded
1999 (by Diego Borrego)
Website
Name
Diego A. Borrego
Founder and Director
Age
40
Hometown
Chamberino, New Mexico
Current residence
San Diego, California
Education
MIT
Masters of Science in the Management of Technology
(1998)
MIT
MBA
(1998)
New Mexico State
Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering
(1992)
New Mexico State
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering
(1991)
Work Experience
Networkcar
Director of Product Engineering
2005-present
Delphi, Inc.
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Chief Engineer, Restraint Systems
2001-2005
Networkcar
Director of Product Development
1999-2001
General Motors
various positions
1989-1999
Ethnicity
Mexican American-First generation born in the US
About the company
Networkcar is a leading provider of services for remotely monitoring the performance and location of commercial fleet vehicles.
Networkcar’s system, Networkfleet, combines patented remote vehicle diagnostic systems with GPS-based location technology to help fleet managers reduce operating costs and improve driver productivity. Networkfleet provides detailed GPS tracking, exact speed, fuel efficiency/MPG, emissions monitoring and trouble code data to improve overall fleet operations.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
Leading the engineering and manufacturing teams for Networkcar, business philosophy.
Most notable milestones
In 1999, I entered the original concept for Networkcar in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 50K Entrepreneurship Competition. It was awarded as a semi-finalist. Networkcar’s first product was a wireless vehicle management system that monitored engine diagnostic information. It was subsequently enhanced to monitor both GPS location and diagnostic information.
Networkcar has received several recognitions for its innovation. These include a 2006 American Business Award for Most Innovative Company, a 2006 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for Wireless Emissions Monitoring, and a 2005 Telematics Update Magazine Award for Best Commercial Vehicle Solution.
What’s the niche?
Networkcar’s services are used by commercial fleets in government, utilities and service industries to monitor their vehicles and keep them running and productive.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Managing explosive growth while maintaining focus on the customer and high profitability.
What’s in store for the future?
In the future, Networkcar will be shaping the evolution of after-market telematics and fleet management, through leading edge wireless technology.
Best way to keep a competitive edge
Recognize that your business strategy must be continually evolving.
Guiding principle in life
Stay humble. This helps you recognize your weakness and the strengths of those around you.
Yardstick of success
I will only feel “successful” when I can spend the majority of my time helping other Mexican-American kids become “successful” engineers.
Goal yet to be achieved
Drive a land vehicle over 200 mph.
Best practical advice
God first, family second, work third.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
Former boss (at GM) and friend (Kathy Lutgen) said something like: “With your talent and work ethic, there is nothing beyond your reach professionally.”
Mentors?
Antonio Lara, my high school physics and chemistry professor. He opened my eyes to the world.
Kathy Lutgen, the first boss I ever had that expected more of me than I did of myself.
Mike Neuhalfen, my boss at Delphi. He was the first person I ever met that truly exemplified a “relentless pursuit of perfection in engineering.”
Vince Wenos, who taught me that even in business “nice guys finish first.”
What motivated you to get started?
The drive to deliver on the personal potential that others have helped me identify and develop.
Like best about what you do?
Helping young engineers become better engineers.
Like least about what you do?
Paperwork for “corporate America.”
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Truck Driver
What was your first job?
Migrant farm work, picking onions in NM.
Biggest pastime outside of work
Exercise: cycling, etc.
Person most interested in meeting?
Jules Verne: he was a visionary who could see technology 100 years into the future.
Leader in business most interested in meeting?
Steve Jobs: he has an innate knack for finding those things that we “didn’t even know we needed” (like PC’s and iPods).
Three interesting facts about yourself
- My mother taught me how to read (Spanish) before I got into kindergarten.
- I could disassemble and re-assemble a carburetor by the time I was 13.
- I have never “golfed” in my life.
Three characteristics that describe you
- I am insecure about my “people skills” (I am always working on them).
- I (subconsciously) trust “everyone” until they prove they cannot be trusted.
- I hate “office politics.”
Three greatest passions
- My wife Leticia
- Fast (very fast) cars
- Optics.
Favorite book
“Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger and “The Martian Chronicles” by Ray Bradbury
Favorite cause
NWF (National Wildlife Foundation)
Credits
Interview by Marcela Gutierrez
Introduction by Sara Ortega
Edited by Valerie Enriquez