Zero emission vehicle manufacturer and energy solutions provider Nikola Corporation, has announced the appointment of Thomas “Tom” Schmitt as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
In his role as CCO, Schmitt will be responsible for overseeing Nikola’s sales, commercial operations, dealerships, service, customer success, and marketing functions. His appointment is part of the company’s efforts to expand its presence in the zero-emission Class 8 vehicle market.
Schmitt brings extensive experience in the transportation industry to his new position. His previous roles include serving as CEO of Forward Air, CCO of Schenker, and CEO of Purolator and FedEx Supply Chain. He has also held board positions with various companies in the sector.
Stephen Girsky, President and CEO of Nikola, said: “Tom brings a solid track record built over the past 35-plus years that will help drive forward Nikola’s strategic and operational goals, inside and out.”
Regarding his new role, Schmitt commented: “I’ve been following Nikola for years, and it’s an honor to join this mission-driven organisation with the sole goal of decarbonising the trucking industry. I look forward to working with the passionate Nikola team in bringing that goal to fruition.”
Schmitt’s career highlights include leading Forward Air through profitable growth during the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing significant revenue growth at Schenker AG. He has also held leadership positions at Aqua Terra and Purolator.
In addition to his executive roles, Schmitt has served on several corporate boards, including Ferguson plc, Cyberport GmbH, Dicom Transportation Group, Zooplus AG, and Univar.
