Personnel Roundup: ASE, Gatik, Holman, & Merchants Fleet

People are making moves across the commercial fleet industry, with recent promotions and hires. Automotive Fleet has a roundup of recent personnel announcements, including:

• Tom Trisdale Steps into Role as ASE Chairman for 2024 Board of Directors
• Philip Reinckens Joins Gatik as Senior Vice President of Commercialization and Operations
• Brent Scowen joins Holman as Managing Director of Canadian Fleet Management Division
• Jessica Starke Named Merchants Fleet Regional Sales Manager for Central Region Truck & Van Rental Division

Tom Trisdale Steps into Role as ASE Chairman for 2024 Board of Directors

Tom Trisdale recently began his term as chairman for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) 2024 Board of Directors. Trisdale is the vice president of quality at Toyota. In his first chairmans message, Trisdale said in part,

“This is a year of action and change at ASE. The challenges of repairing and servicing across all forms of vehicles have never been greater. The pressures facing working technicians have also never been higher. Now more than ever, the standards and structure that ASE and the ASE Education Foundation provide for our profession are needed to support our trade and provide confidence to the consumer. It is our responsibility, as a board and with industry partners, to help ASE advance to meet the realities of today’s market, support a pipeline for future technicians and elevate the value of professional certification for all.”

Check out this story from Work Truck to learn more about the 2024 Board of Directors.

Philip Reinckens Joins Gatik as Senior Vice President of Commercialization and Operations

Gatik, a provider of autonomous middle mile logistics, announced the appointment of Philip Reinckens to the position of Senior Vice President of Commercialization and Operations.

Gatik focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics, moving goods for North America’s largest grocers, retailers, distributors, and e-commerce platforms. Reinckens’ appointment positions the company for its next phase of growth including the expansion to Freight-Only autonomous truck operations for Gatik’s customers.

“Philip is joining Gatik at a pivotal time as we are entering the next phase of our business with a clear focus on deploying Freight-Only operations at scale for our customers,” Gatik CEO and Cofounder Gautam Narang, said. “His role is crucial as we look to deepen our partnerships and densify operations. Philip brings the business and technology acumen required to take Gatik to meaningful scale. Given his broad experience and strategic expertise, he will be instrumental in driving growth while sharpening our operations focus with scalable systems.”

Reinckens has previously worked with growth stage companies where he was focused on scaling businesses and processes. He has 15 years of experience in automotive and mobility companies.

Most recently, Reinckens served as CEO of Spin, a shared eScooter and eBike provider in North America, where he led the company through a turnaround before it was acquired by competitor Bird in 2023.

Prior to Spin, Reinckens scaled and ran the German market and subsequently the DACH & CEE region at TIER Mobility, a global shared micromobility provider.

Before that, Reinckens held several leadership roles in the automotive industry. He worked for tier 1 supplier Faurecia (now: Forvia) and automotive strategy consulting firm Berylls, advising companies like Volkswagen, Daimler, BMW and others on topics around electrification, autonomous, mobility, and connectivity.

“Gatik’s growth trajectory and potential are evident, and I have been so impressed with Gatik’s laser focus on the untapped potential of the middle-mile,” Reinckens said. “Gautam and his leadership team have built a resilient business by prioritizing safety and long-term success over quick overnight growth. I am thrilled to join this world-class group at such an exciting time for the company.”

Brent Scowen joins Holman as Managing Director of Canadian Fleet Management Division

Holman has announced Brent Scowen was as Managing Director of its fleet management division in Canada. In his new role, Scowen will provide strategic oversight and drive continued growth.

“Brent is an exceptional leader, and he embodies the core values that have long served as the foundation for Holman’s sustained success,” said Holman’s Executive Vice President of International Operations Rick Tousaw. “His impressive business acumen, client relations expertise, and profound understanding of the Canadian market will be invaluable to both our employees and our customers.”

Throughout his career, Scowen has led high-performance teams across a variety of industries including consumer goods, telecommunications, and professional education. He joins Holman from Prana, one of Canada’s organic food brands, where he led the company’s business development strategy as vice president of sales.

Previously, Scowen held executive leadership roles in sales, client relations, and customer experience with Acosta, Campbell Soup, Cogeco, and CSI Global Education.

A graduate of McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, Scowen will also play an active role in Holman’s mission of driving what’s right for the community, the company noted in a news release. He supports the Jospeh Brant Hospital & Foundation and the Halton Industry Education Council, and previously served on the board of directors for each organization.

“Holman is well-known across the industry for fostering an environment that truly puts its people, customers, and communities above all else,” Scowen said. “I’m thrilled to join this renowned organization and lead a team of extremely talented fleet professionals. Together, we’ll drive what’s right and support our customers with innovative fleet management solutions.”

Jessica Starke Named Merchants Fleet Regional Sales Manager for Central Region Truck & Van Rental Division

Merchants Fleet has announced the hire of Jessica Starke as Regional Sales Manager for the Central region of the company’s Truck & Van Rental Division. Merchants is expanding its truck and van rental division to meet the needs of clients throughout North America navigating supply chain complexities.

“Jessica’s comprehensive understanding of the transportation industry and her unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional service are perfectly aligned with our mission to provide flexible, reliable, and innovative fleet solutions,” said John Korte, Vice President of Central Region Sales at Merchants Fleet. “We are thrilled to welcome someone of Jessica’s caliber to lead the charge in driving success for our clients in the central region.”

Throughout her career of nearly 20 years, Starke has held positions like Senior Sales Executive and Branch Manager at Enterprise Holdings.

“I’m excited to embark on this exciting journey with Merchants, aligning my dedication to excellence with a company renowned for its commitment to service and innovation,” Starke said. “I look forward to collaborating with our clients and helping them utilize truck and van rentals as a pivotal component of their fleet management strategies.”

Starke holds a bachelor’s degree from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and currently resides in Florida.