BYD hired Milo Victoria, an industry veteran with 41 years transit industry experience, to serve in the role GM for BYD Coach and Bus. Victoria will oversee the day-to-day operations of BYD’s battery-electric transit bus manufacturing facility in Lancaster, Calif., filling the role in response to BYD’s continued growth and expansion in the U.S.

Victoria began his career as a transit bus mechanic at LA Metro before moving up the ladder and into roles such as the COO/asst. GM for Metrobus, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the CEO of Omnitrans in San Bernardino County, Calif.

Additionally, BYD also announced the promotion of Bobby Hill to VP, U.S. Sales, for BYD Coach and Bus. In his new role, Hill will manage all U.S. based transit sales responsibilities — including managing day-to-day activity of sales staff, demonstration scheduling, and marketing coordination.

In addition to overseeing BYD Coach and Bus operations in the U.S., Hill’s scope will also include responsibility for the Caribbean — a direct response to BYD’s rapid developments in the region. Hill previously served as the company’s midwest regional sales manager and will continue to report directly to Macy Neshati, sr. VP of BYD Heavy Industries.

“Milo Victoria is a well-respected veteran of the transit industry, having started as a mechanic who worked his way up to executive leadership positions at several of the country’s largest and busiest transit authorities,” said Neshati. “He is knowledgeable on every aspect of transit bus operations, and we are pleased to count him as part of the BYD Coach and Bus family now.”

Neshati continued, “Bobby Hill has been an invaluable asset to BYD for more than two years and this promotion is in recognition of that,” “His customer service and sales expertise is unmatched, especially in one of the most important divisions in the company — Coach and Bus.”

BYD continues to expand its operations in Los Angeles County in response to demand for its advanced technology, zero-emission transit buses. The company employs nearly 700 individuals in California and expects to add more than 500 jobs in the coming years.