Nikola Corporation has officially appointed Joseph S. Cappello as the President of Nikola Energy. The appointment is scheduled to take effect on September 25, 2023. As the head of Nikola Energy, Cappello will assume a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of the company’s energy business, which encompasses infrastructure, supply strategy, trading, technology, and development. Additionally, he will spearhead the expansion and management of the company’s HYLA brand operations.
Cappello’s entrance into Nikola comes at a strategic juncture, coinciding with the imminent commercial launch of the Class 8 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. His extensive experience and expertise will be harnessed to bolster Nikola’s offerings and support its growing customer base.
Cappello’s professional journey leading to this significant appointment includes a commendable five-year tenure at Iwatani Corporation of America (ICA), a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Iwatani Corporation. Iwatani Corporation is renowned for its leadership in hydrogen production, as well as its supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). During his time at ICA, Cappello initially served as an Executive Advisor in 2018, subsequently taking on the roles of Chairman and CEO of ICA in 2019.
Steve Girsky, President and CEO of Nikola Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm about Cappello’s appointment, emphasizing its significance in advancing the company’s vision and hydrogen highway initiatives. He stated, “Energy management and infrastructure are integral to Nikola’s business strategy, and Joe has direct experience setting up hydrogen stations, which is vital as our hydrogen fuel cell trucks hit the road in the coming weeks.”
In response, Joseph S. Cappello voiced his excitement about joining Nikola Corporation, a company he views as pioneering transformative change in the global transportation sector. He emphasized Nikola’s commitment to reducing diesel emissions from Class 8 trucks, describing his role as contributing to the organization’s mission to revolutionize and decarbonize trucking while providing exceptional value to its stakeholders.
