NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto this week announced his intention to step down from the position after successfully leading the regulator for more than a decade.
HVIA’s Todd Hacking says “it’s been a joy and a pleasure” working with Petroccitto.
“In 20 years of dealing with regulators and government, how the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has conducted itself during his leadership has been exemplary! Stand proud and best wishes for the future!” he adds.
Petroccitto will leave the position January 24, 2025 in “great shape following an unheralded period of achievements in establishing a modern and respected national body”, NHVR Chair Duncan Gay says.
He says an extensive nationwide recruitment process will commence over the coming weeks to appoint a new CEO to the NHVR.
“Sal has worked tirelessly to build industry trust and respect to ensure the modern regulatory approach being implemented by the NHVR will achieve genuine and tangible national safety and productivity reform,” Gay adds.
“His no nonsense and practical approach in ‘saying it as it is’ was embraced by industry and a critical part of the partnership and trust he built.
“Sal drove the successful transition of participating state-based regulatory functions to establish the NHVR.
“Under Sal’s leadership, we are now seeing consistent enforcement and education outcomes paving the way for more on-road consistency.
“This includes leaving a legacy of achieving genuine safety behavioural change and improved culture through the establishment of an inform, educate and enforce approach to compliance.
“On a personal level, I have enjoyed our great professional relationships and have valued working alongside Sal and I consider him a good friend. I know Sal will be greatly missed by the industry and his staff.”
Petroccitto says the decision to finish up with the NHVR was not an easy one.
“When I started, we were a small team tasked with delivering a huge body of work – creating a single national heavy vehicle regulator. As we worked hard to transition state after state we continued to mature as an organisation and we not only achieved our goal, but we smashed it!” he reflects.
“I am so proud of so many things we have achieved to deliver greater efficiencies and safety for this critical sector.
“Our commitment to driving education prior to enforcement to achieve long-term positive safety outcomes, our digital transformation work which continues to deliver a single and accessible way our stakeholders engage with the NHVR, our continued and dedicated focus on becoming a modern, customer-centric regulatory organisation.
“Most importantly, I am proud of everyone’s efforts to build an amazing workplace and culture for all our people.”
In particular, Petroccitto says the NHVR’s approach to industry engagement and commitment to “customer first” values has been embraced and recognised right across the road transport sector.
“It has enabled the NHVR to drive stronger partnerships with our stakeholders and ultimately bring about greater safety outcomes for not only our heavy vehicle industry but also across the communities in which we all live and work,” he says.