Nikola Corporation has appointed Mary Petrovich as a new independent director and has expanded Pablo Koziner’s role within the Nikola executive leadership team.

Over the past 30 years, Nikola says Petrovich has engineered three successful private equity turnarounds and guided start-up ventures. She is currently the chairman of the board of two private companies: DealerShop, a buying group for dealerships and collision centers, and Traxen, a software developer promoting safe driving and more efficient fuel use for the heavy-duty trucking industry.
Most recently, she served as executive chairman of AxleTech, where Nikola says she helped shape the company’s electric vehicle strategy for the truck and bus markets. She also previously held the position of president of Dura Automotive’s driver controls unit and served in various roles with increasing responsibility at AlliedSignal, Chrysler and General Motors.

In June 2020, Koziner joined Nikola as president of Nikola Energy to oversee Nikola’s hydrogen fueling and battery charging initiatives focusing on delivering and maintaining the energy infrastructure required to support Nikola’s battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicle programs. Koziner’s role has now expanded to include the commercial vehicle business and was recently named as president of energy and commercial. Within this new capacity, Koziner will maintain his energy responsibilities and lead vehicle business development, dealer development and administration, vehicle sales warranty and service.
As a 19-year veteran of Caterpillar, Koziner most recently served as vice president of CAT Electric Power and as president of Solar Turbines Incorporated (a Caterpillar Company).
Prior to joining Caterpillar, Koziner practiced commercial law at Hunton & Williams LLP (now Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP) and later at Paul Hastings LLP. Koziner is a graduate of Boston College and earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Boston College Law School.