NHVR unveils new leadership team

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has announced it has filled three key executive positions

The NHVR has welcomed three new executives to its team, with the national regulator appointing Mr Geoff Casey as Executive Director (Productivity and Safety), Ms Karen Vohland as Executive Director (Engagement and Partnerships); and Mr Tony Kursius as Executive Director (Regulatory Compliance).

The NHVR's Chief Executive, Sal Petroccitto, said the appointments would help drive regulatory reform for Australia's heavy vehicle industry.

"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," he said.

"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."

All three appointments will have assumed their roles by late February.

A recent NHVR media release details the backgrounds of each new appointment as follows:

Mr Geoff Casey

Executive Director (Productivity and Safety)

Geoff Casey (pictured, blue shirt) has an extensive background in regulatory compliance, risk management, the establishment and implementation of safety management systems and related government policy in safety-critical industries.

He has significant experience in regulatory and government roles within the highly regulated aviation industry including Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Geoff comes to the NHVR from his most recent role as the Manager of Operational Safety, Investigations and Risk, within the safety department of Qantas Airlines, where he has responsibility 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.

Ms Karen Vohland

Executive Director (Engagement and Partnerships)

Karen Vohland (pictured) has held senior executive roles in the public and private sectors with more than 25 years’ experience in media, public relations and stakeholder engagement.

Karen currently holds the role of Director (Tourism and Stewardship) with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and has been instrumental in shaping the agency's tourism and stakeholder engagement activities, including its Tourism Reef Advisory Committee, 12 Local Marine Advisory Committees, three regional offices and the highly successful Reef Guardian Stewardship Program which includes commercial fishers, farmers, local government and schools. Before this, Karen was the Communications and Education Director for GBRMPA for seven years.

Karen has also held senior communication roles in the public health sector, emergency services and the television media, and has operated her own successful marketing company.

Mr Tony Kursius

Executive Director (Regulatory Compliance)

With over 20 years’ experience at senior executive-level in regulatory and service delivery roles with the Queensland Government transport portfolio, Tony Kursius’ 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, Tony (pictured, white shirt) assisted the NHVR to establish its regulatory and compliance function, holding the temporary position of Director (Compliance Transition) in 2013-2014.

Tony has worked closely with other road transport authorities across the country in the years leading up to the establishment of the national Regulator and has extensive knowledge and practical understanding of the strategic and operational challenges in achieving national regulatory reform.

NHVR unveils new leadership team

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