Experienced CFO primed to take on new
opportunities with zero-emissions trucking and hydrogen
infrastructure solutions
PHOENIX, March 4,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikola
Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a
global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply
and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand,
today announced the appointment of an accomplished and highly
regarded financial executive, Thomas "Tom" B. Okray,
who has joined the company's executive team as Chief Financial
Officer (CFO).
"We are proud to welcome Tom as our CFO. Attracting someone of
his caliber is a testament to the exciting journey Nikola is on,"
said President and CEO, Stephen
Girsky. "Tom's depth of financial expertise, cultivated over
four decades, will play a crucial role as we expand our supply base
and profitably scale our business. Tom will not only complete our
executive team, but also help to solidify our foundation for
success as we continue to reshape the trucking industry and drive
decarbonization forward."
This marks Okray's fourth tenure as CFO of a public company.
Previously Okray served as Executive Vice President (EVP) and CFO
at Eaton Corporation, an intelligent power management company that
provides solutions across the propulsion spectrum, Senior Vice
President (SVP) and CFO at Grainger, and EVP and CFO at Advance
Auto Parts. Okray also held various executive and CFO roles at
General Motors over a 14 plus year period, including extensive time
in product development. His expansive career has taken him around
the world, with stints in Germany,
Italy, Poland, and Korea, and considerable time spent
in China, India, and Brazil.
"I have traveled the globe over the past 40 years and worked
with cutting-edge technologies across various vehicles. Scaling the
zero-emissions technology at Nikola is something I want to be a
part of," said Okray. "My connection with some of Nikola's
leadership spanning decades made the decision even more natural. I
believe in Nikola's mission and what they are working to do in the
trucking and energy sectors and am excited to join the company and
contribute in any way possible."
ABOUT THOMAS B. OKRAY
Thomas "Tom" B. Okray serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of
Nikola Corporation.
Okray joined Nikola from Eaton, where he held the position of
EVP and CFO. He also served as SVP and CFO of Grainger and as EVP
and CFO of Advance Auto Parts. Prior to that role, he held Vice
President positions at Amazon.
At General Motors, Okray started as a Senior Analyst and
eventually rose to the position of CFO of Global Product
Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. In this capacity, he
provided financial leadership for research and development,
engineering operations, procurement, supply chain, capital, future
portfolio strategy, future vehicle and powertrain projects, and
third-party alliances. Okray also served as CFO of Global Product
Development, Executive Director of Product Development in
Asia and Europe, and Vice President of the Fiat-GM
Powertrain joint venture, among other positions at Opel.
Okray serves on the board of directors of Flowserve Corporation
(NYSE:FLS), The Cleveland Orchestra, and The City Mission.
Okray is a graduate of Michigan State
University, with a bachelor's degree in chemical
engineering. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
with concentrations in finance, statistics, production and
operations, and business policy from the University of Chicago.
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
transportation and over-the-road freight services. With our Class 8
vehicles, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell
electric trucks, and our energy brand, HYLA, we are driving the
advancement of the complete hydrogen refueling ecosystem. This
encompasses supply, distribution, and dispensing, reflecting our
commitment to sustainable practices and a cleaner future.
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 X @nikolamotor.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
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.
Okray joining the Company's executive management team; Mr. Okray's
ability to help expand the Company's supply base and profitably
scale our business; Mr. Okray's role in solidifying the Company's
foundation for success as it works to reshape the trucking industry
and drive decarbonization forward; and Nikola's position at the
forefront of a transformative industry. 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
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 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