Multiple companies and brands have recently announced personnel changes in the commercial fleet world, including Sokolis, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Thomas Built Buses, Rand McNally, and InCharge Energy.
Photo: Sokolis / Daimler Truck North America / Rand McNally / InCharge Energy / Automotive Fleet
Multiple companies and brands have recently announced personnel changes in the commercial fleet world. Automotive Fleet has a roundup of these new hires and promotions, including:
- Sokolis Welcomes Laura Bloom as Vice President of Operations
- Daimler Truck North America Appoints T.J. Reed as President and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Thomas Built Buses
- Rand McNally Hires Jeff Westover as Global Head of Sales and Marketing and Chief Revenue Officer
- InCharge Energy Announces Rich Mohr as Chief Commercial Officer and Zeb Dawson as Vice President of Service Operations
Laura Bloom joins Sokolis with more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, having excelled in scaling operations at Merchants Fleet Management, Mercedes-Benz of Boston, and Lexus of Manchester.
Photo: Sokolis / Automotive Fleet
Sokolis Welcomes Laura Bloom as Vice President of Operations
Sokolis, a provider of fleet fuel management services, has named industry veteran Laura Bloom as the new vice president of operations.
Bloom joins Sokolis with more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, having excelled in scaling operations at Merchants Fleet Management, Mercedes-Benz of Boston, and Lexus of Manchester.
Bloom has been instrumental in aligning operational strategies with rapid growth, leveraging technology to drive efficiency, and building high-performing teams. Bloom’s expertise lies in process improvement, data analytics, innovation, and enhancing client experiences, ensuring seamless adaptation to evolving industry demands.
“We looked across the country to find a strong leader who excels at operational strategy and execution,” Glen Sokolis, founder and CEO, said. “We’re thrilled to have Laura join the Sokolis team. Her remarkable track record in running operations will be a huge asset as we keep pushing forward with new ideas to make fuel management more efficient.”
“I’m honored and excited to take on the role of vice president of operations,” Bloom said. “What attracted me to Sokolis is its commitment to helping customers manage fleet fueling costs and logistics. I look forward to continuing and innovating the company’s mission to drive down fuel costs and simplifying the process for fleet professionals.”
In his new role, T.J. Reed will be responsible for all aspects of the FCCC and TBB brands, including strategy, sales and operations.
Photo: Daimler Truck North America / Automotive Fleet
Daimler Truck North America Appoints T.J. Reed as President and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp and Thomas Built Buses
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) has appointed T.J. Reed to the position of president and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp (FCCC) and Thomas Built Buses (TBB), effective Sept. 9.
In his new role, Reed will be responsible for all aspects of the FCCC and TBB brands, including strategy, sales and operations. He succeeds Kevin Bangston, who was recently appointed CEO and president of Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS) North America.
Reed, president of Daimler Truck Remarketing (DTR) and the SelecTrucks brand, has over 25 years of experience in the truck manufacturing industry. He joined Daimler Truck in 1998 as a custom application engineer for vocational trucks. He has since held various leadership roles in product marketing and strategy, as well as pricing and P&L responsibility within DTNA.
Reed also spent six years outside the company with Meritor Inc., where he held several senior leadership positions, including vice president of Global Business Development for Electrification.
“T.J.’s broad experience across the industry, as well as his exceptional customer focus, makes him the perfect fit for this role,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA. “His expertise and personality will enable him to drive innovation and growth for both companies.”
“We’re excited to have T.J. at the helm of these specialty vehicle business units. His extensive industry knowledge and exceptional leadership skills will further strengthen and drive the success of both FCCC and TBB,” said John O’Leary, president and CEO of DTNA.
Reed will remain responsible for DTR and continue to support the team until his successor is named.
Jeff Westover will lead all commercial and go-to-market (GTM) aspects of the company and its family of brands, alongside driving customer value and growing revenue.
Photo: Rand McNally / Automotive Fleet
Rand McNally Hires Jeff Westover as Global Head of Sales and Marketing and Chief Revenue Officer
Rand McNally, a provider of navigation, commercial vehicle tracking, and fleet safety technology, announced the appointment of Jeff Westover as global head of sales and marketing and chief revenue officer (CRO).
Westover will lead all commercial and go-to-market (GTM) aspects of the company and its family of brands, alongside driving customer value and growing revenue.
“Jeff brings a powerful blend of proven skills, experience, and creativity that are exactly what Rand McNally needs at this stage in our journey. And he’s already having a positive impact on the team and our customers,” CEO Doug Phillips said. “I’m looking forward to partnering with Jeff to accelerate our growth and meet the maturing needs of the market.”
After three decades of success building customer results, value expansion, go-to-market leadership, and strategic initiatives across the transportation, technology, SaaS, and services sectors at companies including Omnitracs (formerly Qualcomm), Hyperscience, Hewlett-Packard, Autonomy, Siebel, and Microsoft, Westover is excited by the opportunity to return to the industry with Rand McNally.
“Rand’s unmatched legacy of trust is built on 165+ years of steadfast value delivery… all of it on the road. That enviable reputation has been well earned, and I’m beyond excited to help this next generation of Randers build upon it.” Westover said.
“As a kid, I attached the Rand brand to adventure and road trips. As we move forward, we’ll amplify that core feeling. Fleets and drivers alike know Rand McNally will work tirelessly to maintain and reward the trust they’ve placed in our brand over the decades,” Westover concluded.
InCharge Energy’s newly-hired Rich Mohr and Zeb Dawson will be based in the company’s Virginia-located Engineering and Fulfillment Center.
Photo: InCharge Energy / Automotive Fleet
InCharge Energy Announces Rich Mohr as Chief Commercial Officer and Zeb Dawson as Vice President of Service Operations
InCharge Energy, a provider of electric fleet charging and energy solutions, announced the hiring of Rich Mohr and Zeb Dawson.
Mohr, who was most recently senior vice president, North America, fleet solutions at ChargePoint, and before that was chief technology officer at Ryder System, Inc., joined InCharge as its new Chief Commercial Officer.
Mohr brings over 25 years of fleet and product experience to his new role, where he will be responsible for reseller and channel sales, sales management, and service operations.
Additionally, Zeb Dawson, who most recently led operations for Motional and was previously a leader of operations and sales with Uber and Tesla, has joined InCharge Energy as vice president of service operations.
Mohr and Dawson will be based in the company’s Virginia-located Engineering and Fulfillment Center.
“By adding to our leadership team, InCharge is enhancing our ability to provide InCharge customers with the premium support they expect. As more fleets become partly or fully electrified, there is an increasing emphasis on reliable charging. This requires not just excellent charging hardware, but also high quality, trained service teams — because even the best chargers break with high levels of utilization,” COO Terry O’Day said.
