Nikola Corp. Boosts Commercial Team with Former Forward Air CEO
Key Ideas
- Nikola Corp. hires former Forward Air CEO Tom Schmitt as chief commercial officer to expand its hydrogen-powered fuel cell truck business.
- Schmitt's appointment follows challenges faced by Forward Air post an ill-conceived merger, leading to his departure and shareholder backlash.
- His experience in strategic transformations and commercial operations is expected to drive Nikola's growth and customer-focused approach in the zero-emission truck market.
- The move comes amidst executive changes and a financial turnaround effort at Nikola following the fraud conviction of its founder, Trevor Milton.
Nikola Corp. has appointed Tom Schmitt, former CEO of Forward Air, as its chief commercial officer to enhance its hydrogen-powered fuel cell truck business. Schmitt's hiring comes after Forward Air's troubled merger with Omni Logistics, which resulted in shareholder discontent and his subsequent departure. With a track record in strategic transformations and commercial operations, Schmitt is tasked with scaling Nikola's business by focusing on sales, commercial operations, dealerships, service, customer success, and marketing functions. Nikola's president and CEO, Steve Girsky, emphasized the importance of fortifying the commercial team to enhance customer experience and expand the zero-emission Class 8 marketplace. Schmitt expressed his excitement to join Nikola's mission of decarbonizing the trucking industry. His appointment aligns with Nikola's efforts to navigate a financial turnaround post the fraud conviction of its founder, Trevor Milton, and amidst several executive changes under Girsky's leadership.