PHOENIX – Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy infrastructure solutions, today announced two leadership changes that will help advance the Company’s commercial and energy efforts. Pablo Koziner, current President, Energy & Commercial, has been named President, Commercial, and Carey Mendes, current Global Head, Energy Finance, has been named President, Energy. These appointments are effective immediately. Koziner and Mendes will report to Michael Lohscheller, recently named President, Nikola Corporation, and will be the incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2023.
In his role as President, Commercial, Koziner will lead all of Nikola’s sales activities, including business development, sales, service, dealer network and charging solutions. Since joining Nikola in June 2020, Koziner has played a key role in expanding the Company’s hydrogen infrastructure capabilities, including the recent announcement of three California hydrogen station locations to advance and scale up Nikola’s long-term hydrogen distribution solutions to service market demand. Prior to Nikola, he spent more than 19 years at Caterpillar Inc. in roles of increasing responsibility and most recently served as president of Solar Turbines.
Mendes, Nikola’s Global Head, Energy Finance since October 2021, brings more than 20 years of operational expertise and experience in the energy and renewables space. As President, Energy, Mendes will be responsible for all aspects of the Company’s energy business, including infrastructure, supply and trading, technology and development and finance. Before joining Nikola, Mendes held several senior global roles at BP, including CEO for BP’s North America and Latin America Energy Trading and Marketing division and leadership positions over BP’s Global Crude Oil Trading team and Global Renewable Energy Trading teams.
“Today’s appointments reflect the depth of our executive team and our focus on helping the industry transition to zero-emissions through the sales of Nikola’s battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and the energy infrastructure to support them,” said Michael Lohscheller, President, Nikola Corporation. “It is an exciting and pivotal time for Nikola and these new positions for Pablo and Carey will place greater focus on two critical parts of our business and help drive our next phase of growth. I am confident they will step seamlessly into their new responsibilities and be instrumental in delivering innovative solutions to decarbonize the transportation industry.”
