Michael Hughes (Air Force Veteran)

Following the acquisition of Track Star International, Inc., the company I founded and operated since 2000, by Solen Software Group, I transitioned to a part-time advisory role with Solen's M&A team. In this capacity, I provide technical expertise for the selection and evaluation of potential acquisitions within the software as a service (SaaS) space. I also work with other owners / founders who are considering partnering with Solen to provide them with information about my journey through the process. My responsibilities include assessing the technological viability and strategic fit of target companies to ensure they align with Solen's growth objectives. In addition to my M&A role, I continue to serve the new management team at Track Star as a Strategic Advisor, leveraging my deep understanding of the company's products and market to support ongoing innovation and strategic initiatives.

In January 2000, I founded Track Star International, Inc., serving as President and CEO, growing the company until its acquisition in September, 2022. The acquisition introduced new resources and allowed me to transition to an advisory role, through Sept 1, 2025, in support of the new owners and management team. Track Star is a pioneer in wireless data communications, GPS technology and software development. The company is an innovator and leading provider of software products that enable GPS-based Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), telematics, and video telematics functionality for fleet operators. The Track Star AVLS system, rooted in my earliest GPS / IoT hardware and software design work dating back to 1994, is a GPS / Telematics SaaS solution used across various sectors, including law enforcement, first responders, municipal services, utilities, and general transportation. This system enhances worker safety, improves fleet efficiencies, and boosts productivity. What sets Track Star products apart is a unique design that allows users to select from various in-vehicle devices and implement an AVLS system that can be cloud-based or entirely owned and operated by the using organization. Over the years, I served many roles: hardware engineer, technical team lead, sales & marketing, customer relations, channel manager, partner relations, human resources and every other function required to operate a successful business. I was blessed to have a tremendous team of very talented individuals to rely upon and help grow the company. Remaining hands-on with the deeply technical aspects of the products, I leveraged my ability to creatively deploy technology to solve customer problems, consistently articulating complex concepts in an easily understood manner.

I joined PS&T as a test and systems engineer under the DoD Mentor-Protégé program, where I designed and developed a variety of electronic systems and devices for external customers. My projects ranged from asset tags for hazardous waste transport and annunciator panels for mass-transit trains to RFID systems for dairy operations and bespoke RF modems for wide and narrow band radio communications. Over time, I advanced to lead the company's engineering department, overseeing electronic hardware and software design activities. My role expanded to include the transition of these designs into production, utilizing the company's through-hole and surface mount production lines. As Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, I spearheaded the integration of innovative solutions into production, ensuring high-quality and reliable outcomes for our diverse clientele.

Design and implementation of systems related to research and test of military avionics and military equipment. Conducted high-voltage testing of large power insulators. Designs included a remote HF transmitter station operated by remote control as part of the Over The Horizon Backscatter Radar development efforts. at Rome Air Development Center, now Rome Labs.

Designed and constructed experimental laser measurement equipment necessary to measure the femtosecond response times of materials under evaluation for use in optical computing.

Responsible for the repair and maintenance of the Bombing and Navigation, Offensive Avionics and Electro Optical Viewing systems on the B52 G & H model aircraft assigned to the 416th Bomb Wing (Heavy) at Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome, NY

Responsible for the repair and maintenance of the AN-ASQ38 Bombing / Navigation and Electro Optical Viewing systems on B52 G & H model aircraft assigned to the 93rd Bomb Wing (Heavy) at Castle Air Force Base, Atwater, CA.

Assigned to the 93rd FMS A/R Shop where duties included airframe maintenance on US Air Force B-52 G & H model bombers and KC-135A tankers. Additional duties include crash recover team member.