Motorola Solutions has appointed Steve Crutchfield as MD Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately.

Crutchfield steps into the role vacated by Gary Starr, who has been promoted to vice president, with responsibility for a number of key countries in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region, including Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.

Prior to this appointment, Crutchfield was GM of Motorola Solutions’ Services Delivery organisation in Australia and New Zealand.

Crutchfield first joined Motorola Solutions Australia in 2007. In his first role as GM Zeon Digital, he oversaw the growth of the two way digital radio network in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane from establishment.

In subsequent roles, he has led the organisation’s government and public safety pre-sales engineering and project Delivery teams, and oversaw the minerals and energy division through a major phase of growth.

Prior to joining Motorola Solutions, Crutchfield held the position of director of desktop solutions for McAfee globally and was based in Portland, Oregon, before moving back to Australia to assume responsibility for sales, business development and strategic alliances as McAfee’s SME director in the Asia Pacific.

“Steve has been a key member of our senior leadership team here in Australia and New Zealand, and I have no doubt we will continue to benefit greatly from his experience and strong customer focus,” said Starr.

“He has been a great mentor to our team over the past six years, and understands the critical factors necessary in the successful design and delivery of complex communication solutions.”