National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO, Sal Petroccitto, has announced three new appointments to the NHVR leadership team following a reorganisation of the agency and the resignation of some of the leadership team. The new team will have the task of trying to get the real reform in regulation the trucking industry desperately needs, up and running effectively.
“These appointments bring new skills and capabilities to our leadership team and ensure one of the key building blocks of the NHVR’s new organisational structure is in place,” said Petroccitto. “On behalf of the NHVR Board, I am delighted to welcome these talented individuals to our organisation, as we embark on a new phase of stabilisation and delivery in collaboration and partnership with industry and government.”
The new appointments are Geoff Casey as Executive Director (Productivity and Safety), Karen Vohland, Executive Director (Engagement and Partnerships) and Tony Kursius as Executive Director (Regulatory Compliance).
“Geoff, Karen and Tony will join the NHVR over the coming weeks, with all new executives on deck and ready for the year ahead by late February,” said Petroccitto. “For me, last year’s priorities were to build relationships with industry and key government agencies and restore their confidence in our ability to get the job done.”
The new team will be heading the task to get the improvements to Australia’s heavy vehicle maintenance and accreditation regimes needed, as well as fatigue management options to be clarified and, very importantly, more consistency in roadside enforcement.
“With strong support from our industry and government partners, I am very proud of the momentum we achieved last year and am looking forward to a very successful 2015,” said Petroccitto.
Casey has a background in regulatory compliance, risk management, the establishment and implementation of safety management systems and related government policy in safety-critical industries. His experience includes regulatory and government roles within the aviation industry including Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
His most recent role was as the Manager of Operational Safety, Investigations and Risk, within the safety department of Qantas Airlines. He was responsible for monitoring and maintaining operational risk management practices and standards, investigations, data analysis and the communication of safety-critical information to the Executive, Board and various regulatory authorities.
Vohland has held senior executive roles in the public and private sectors with more than 25 years’ experience in media, public relations and stakeholder engagement. She is currently the Director (Tourism and Stewardship) at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority,shaping the agency’s tourism and stakeholder engagement activities, 12 Local Marine Advisory Committees, three regional offices and the Reef Guardian Stewardship Program.
She has also held senior communication roles in the public health sector, emergency services and the media, and has operated her own successful marketing company.
Kursius has over 20 years’ experience at senior executive-level in regulatory and service delivery roles with the Queensland Government transport portfolio. His expertise spans corporate human resource management, land transport (including registration and licensing), road safety, rail safety, road use management and transport compliance functions.
In recent years, Kursius assisted the NHVR to establish its regulatory and compliance function, holding the temporary position of Director (Compliance Transition) in 2013-2014. He has worked closely with other road transport authorities across the country in the years leading up to the establishment of the NHVR and is said to have extensive knowledge and practical understanding of the strategic and operational challenges in achieving national regulatory reform.