Nikola Corporation, via the HYLA brand, appointed transportation executive Thomas “Tom” Schmitt as chief commercial officer (CCO) of Nikola Corporation. As CCO, Nikola said Schmitt will align Nikola’s commercial efforts to scale the company’s business. He will oversee the company’s sales, commercial operations, dealerships, service, customer success, and marketing functions.

“Fortifying our commercial team is crucial to our success as we focus on our customers’ experience and expanding the zero-emission Class 8 marketplace,” Stephen Girsky, president and CEO, 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.”

Schmitt brings to Nikola decades of transportation leadership, having served as CEO of Forward Air, CCO of Schenker, CEO of Purolator and FedEx Supply Chain and is a longtime board member for various well-known entities, Nikola said.