March 11, 2026
‘Bulldog network across the automotive industry:’ Diamler Truck leader Zachary Nykodym is surrounded by fellow Ferris State alums
Zachary Nykodym’s ears perk up when he meets a fellow alumnus from Ferris State University’s School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment.
“Everybody in the business knows Ferris State and the program’s excellent reputation for graduating highly qualified people,” he said. “It’s also why Daimler Truck North America has such a strong Ferris vibe: We know good people when we see them.”
Nykodym knows Daimler Truck, too.
The 44-year-old spent most of his career at the leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in North America and now serves as a district sales manager overseeing 30 dealerships in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
But it’s a career that almost wasn’t.
Not much of a high school student, Nykodym never imagined he’d attend college.
“But then, I guess, my high school auto shop teacher saw my potential and told me to check out Ferris State’s automotive program,” he said. “So, I toured the campus, found out that four or five of my buddies were heading to Ferris, and decided to go ahead and enroll there in a two-year Chrysler apprenticeship program.”
Nykodym planned to get his associate degree and then look for an automotive job in the Big Three like his dad and grandpa, who both worked for Chrysler.
“But, to my surprise, I actually got good grades in college,” he said. “Ferris really worked for me because it offers special niche degrees and you can study specific things that interest you and pertain to your field.”
Ferris State’s hands-on, career-focused programs are created in partnership with industry leaders, giving students a clear pathway to in-demand careers. Numerous programs boast near-perfect placement rates.
Last year, Ferris State was selected for the elite “Opportunity University” designation from Carnegie Classifications, noting Ferris State grads earn more than people graduating from peer institutions.
As part of Nykodym’s associate degree program, he had the chance to work at Chrysler. He liked his studies and hands-on work experiences so much that he decided to stay two more years at Ferris State and earn a bachelor’s degree.
Getting that Ferris State degree in 2003 was life-changing, he said.
“There were a lot of big corporations that came to campus ready to hire: Ford, John Deere, Toyota and Detroit Diesel Corp. were just a few,” he said.
Nykodym believes that pursuing higher ed isn't just beneficial for career stability, but establishing life-long friendships through shared experiences.
After a short stint at Ford Motor Company, Nykodym started in 2004 as a service engineer at Detroit Diesel, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America. One year later, he moved to Daimler Truck as a district service manager and has since advanced to roles there including national account executive and sales.
“Going to Ferris State is one of the best things that ever happened to me,” he said. “I got an amazing education and some of the friends I met at Ferris State are still my best friends today — not to mention about a dozen of my coworkers.”
Ferris State is a strong driver of Michigan’s economy, both through more than $1 billion in economic impact and through the graduates the university prepares to lead and succeed in today’s workforce, said Ferris State President Bill Pink.
“Employers actively seek out Ferris State alumni because of their hands-on skills and career readiness, and the result is a stronger workforce and a stronger Michigan,” Pink said.
There’s a strong Bulldog network across the automotive industry, Nykodym said.
“The minute you say you're a Ferris guy, you've got instant connection and a talking point with that customer or colleague,” said Nykodym, who served in past years on the Automotive Heavy Equipment Student Organization and the Heavy Equipment Advisory Board.
Daimler Truck donates to the Ferris State program whenever possible, providing diagnostic software, components and training modules so today’s students have access to state-of-the-industry equipment.
“We love giving back and we encourage our customers to also give back, too,” he said. “We want to make sure the kids are savvy with our technology so when they get out of college they’re already familiar with our products.
“Plus, it’s important to remember where you came from.”