Langworthy named president and Usher made vice president during HVIA’s first AGM
The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has picked its new president following the retirement of board member and former president Bob Martin.
DANA Australia MD Peter Langworthy paid tribute to his predecessor for the role he played at a time when HVIA was transitioning from its Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland (CVIAQ) roots.
Langworthy appointment was based on a vote during HVIA’s first annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday.
The meeting also saw the election of new vice president of the board, Nathan Usher, who is the current national automotive account manager of Cummins South Pacific.
Martin, who is Jost Australia’s area manager for Queensland, Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea, served as director of CVIAQ (later HVIA) for twelve years, including last seven years as president of the board.
“I am honoured and humbled to be able to contribute to the HVIA and help represent this great industry,” Langworthy says.
“Bob and previous Board members brought HVIA on a great journey including ensuring the organisation has a very sound base before undertaking our ambitious transformation,”
“In passing on my congratulations for his outstanding leadership, I wish Bob well, however that’s not to say we won’t continue to take advantage of Bob’s wise counsel, as we do with all past CVIAQ presidents and directors.”
The new president says HVIA will continue to engage with other national transport bodies to make sure the industry operates the most safe and productive fleet.
“HVIA was launched with a detailed strategic plan that includes representing the full diversity of the heavy vehicle industry including those involved in design, manufacture, importation, distribution, modification, sale, service and repair of these vital vehicles and equipment right across Australia” he says.
“We now have our new regional offices staffed with a very strong team who will be working extremely hard over this next phase of our plan, listening to all corners of our great industry, demonstrating the value behind our offering by responsive service delivery, promotion and particularly through strong and effective advocacy at state and national level.”
“HVIA will continue to elevate our engagement with all levels of government, the National Transport Commission, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and other industry bodies to ensure all perspectives are truly represented as we work to empower an innovative, prosperous heavy vehicle industry, supporting the safest, most productive fleet.”
HVIA is currently looking to fill three vacant director positions following the retirement of Martin, Chris Musch and Anthony Dore.