International energy executive with 30-plus
years' experience takes HYLA reins
PHOENIX, Feb. 2, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader
in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and
infrastructure solutions, via its HYLA brand, announced the
appointment of Ole Hoefelmann as
President of the Nikola Energy division, effective February 5, 2024.
A 30-plus year veteran of the hydrogen business, including
decades in executive positions at Air Liquide and a stint at Plug
Power, Hoefelmann most recently served as Nikola's Global Head of
Infrastructure Operations, where he led the reorganization of the
HYLA-brand hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Hoefelmann will continue to expand this work as President of
Nikola Energy, where he will oversee the company's energy business,
including supply strategy, technology, dispensing, and
development.
"Ole is a highly regarded international executive from the
energy sector with an impeccable resume. In a few short months, he
has helped the company make considerable strides in creating its
hydrogen highway, starting in California, with plans to expand across the
U.S. and Canada," said
Nikola President and CEO,
Steve Girsky. "As our hydrogen fuel
cell electric truck sales increase in 2024, it's important that our
energy efforts are commensurate. We are confident that our
customers will benefit from Ole's expertise and service-oriented
mentality."
Joe Cappello, a leader in the
hydrogen space for several years, most recently as President of
Nikola Energy, will be departing from the organization and
assisting over the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition.
"We wish Joe all the best as he continues to champion energy
transitions and support the growth and use of hydrogen on a global
scale," said Girsky.
ABOUT OLE HOEFELMANN
Originally from Munich,
Germany, Hoefelmann's depth of experience in the hydrogen
economy is significant, with 30 years' tenure at Air Liquide S.A.
in positions that took him from the U.S. to Europe, with local and global
responsibilities. Starting in 1991 in a variety of
foundational roles, Hoefelmann's tenure at Air Liquide resulted in
him leading up to 3,000 employees, holding titles such as
CEO for Air Liquide in Iberia, COO Industrial Customers U.S.,
Chairman of Air Liquide Advanced Materials, CEO Advanced
Technologies U.S., Vice President Hydrogen Energy Americas, Vice
President Markets, Strategy, Innovation, Strategic Accounts, and
Communication for the World Business Line Industrial Merchant.
Accomplishments with Air Liquide include development of
commercialization strategies to scale hydrogen energy, influencing
safety education and protocol, and accelerating growth in new
markets, including transportation, where he collaborated with some
of the largest vehicle companies in the world to set up hydrogen
refueling networks and production.
Hoefelmann joined Plug Power in 2021 as General Manager of their
Electrolyzer business, responsible for sales, product management,
development and business strategy. He also was an operating
partner for Hy24, a clean hydrogen infrastructure investment
platform, and is former chair and vice-chair for the California
Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) and vice chair of Fuel Cell and
Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA).
Hoefelmann is fluent in German, English, Spanish and French and
earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of
Business Administration in International Business from St. Mary's College of California.
ABOUT NIKOLA CORPORATION
Nikola Corporation's mission is clear: pioneering solutions for
a zero-emissions world. As an integrated truck and
energy company, Nikola is transforming commercial
transportation, with our Class 8 vehicles, including
battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, and our
energy brand, HYLA, driving the advancement of the complete
hydrogen refueling ecosystem, covering supply, distribution and
dispensing.
Nikola is based in Phoenix,
Arizona with a manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona.
Experience our journey to achieve your sustainability goals
at nikolamotor.com or engage with us on social media
via Facebook @nikolamotorcompany,
Instagram @nikolamotorcompany,
YouTube @nikolamotorcompany,
LinkedIn @nikolamotorcompany or
Twitter @nikolamotor.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to
Nikola Corporation (the "Company"), including statements relating
to: the Company's beliefs regarding the potential benefits of Mr.
Hoefelmann joining the Company's executive management team; Mr.
Hoefelmann's ability to underscore the Company's vision and
potential; Mr. Hoefelmann's ability to advance the Company's
hydrogen highway initiatives and build hydrogen stations; and
expectations relating to the hydrogen highway expanding into the
rest of the U.S. and Canada. These
forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such
as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate,"
"intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may,"
"should," "will," "would," and similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about
future events based on current expectations and assumptions and, as
a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors
could cause actual future events to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not
limited to: risks related to the rollout of the Company's business
and milestones and the timing of expected business milestones; and
the factors, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's
business described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in addition to the Company's
subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address
other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the
Company's actual events and results to differ materially from those
contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are
cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation
to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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SOURCE Nikola Corporation