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Merchants Fleet Appoints Jeff Nieman as New Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer

Before entering his new role, Nieman was Hertz's senior vice president of product operations and field technology.

September 19, 2024
A blue and white graphic detailing Jeff Nieman's new role at Merchants Fleet.

Nieman will oversee all operational aspects of the company, ensuring the alignment of innovative strategies with Merchants Fleet's mission to deliver exceptional client experiences and drive growth in the rapidly evolving fleet management industry.

Photo: Automotive Fleet

2 min to read


Merchants Fleet announced the appointment of Jeff Nieman as the company's new senior vice president and chief operations officer (COO).

With nearly two decades of leadership experience in the car rental industry, Nieman brings expertise in operations, product management, information technology, and intrapreneurship to Merchants Fleet.

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"We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the Executive Leadership team at Merchants! His wealth of experience and exceptional record in operational excellence will be a tremendous asset to our organization," Kirk Hoffman, interim Co-CEO and chief financial officer at Merchants Fleet, said.

Hoffman continued, "Jeff's strategic vision and commitment to fostering innovation will be instrumental as we continue to accelerate Merchants' momentum in delivering cutting-edge solutions and achieving our ambitious growth objectives."

From Steering Hertz's Success to Merchants' Future

In his most recent role as senior vice president of product operations and field technology at Hertz, Nieman led a team crucial in deploying global product roadmaps and maintaining essential infrastructure.

Earlier in his career at Hertz, Nieman served as division vice president and head of operations for Canada and the U.S. Central Region, where he managed operations across 16 states, overseeing more than 100,000 vehicles and leading a team of 2,000 employees.

His tenure was defined by a focus on operational excellence and strategic innovation, making him a driving force behind the company's success.

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As SVP and COO of Merchants Fleet, Nieman will oversee all operational aspects of the company, ensuring the alignment of innovative strategies with Merchants Fleet's mission to deliver exceptional client experiences and drive growth in the rapidly evolving fleet management industry.

"I am honored to join Merchants Fleet at such a transformative time in the industry. Merchants Fleet has a strong reputation for innovation and client-focused solutions, and I am eager to contribute to the company's continued success," Nieman said. "Together, we will advance our mission to deliver cutting-edge fleet management services and support our clients in navigating the future of transportation."

Nieman's appointment is pivotal for Merchants Fleet as the company continues to expand its offerings and strengthen its position as a partner for fleet clients throughout North America.

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