NGVAmerica, a national advocate for the development, use and growth of natural gas, is seeking a new president after Richard Kolodziej announced his intention to retire.
Kolodziej, 67, has served as NGVAmerica’s president since 1995 and oversaw the implementation of many CNG school bus projects nationwide, including a new fueling station at Los Angeles Unified. The NGVAmerica Board of Directors said it has begun an executive search for a new president, Kolodziej will remain in office until his successor is named. Kolodziej will then stay on as an advisor during the transition.
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead NGVAmerica during these past 18 years,” he said in a statement. “NGVs have gone from a niche application to a recognized and essential part of America’s transportation system. Today, the NGV industry is poised for historic growth in both traditional on-road markets and new non-road markets — like off-road, marine and rail. I believe now is the right time for NGVAmerica’s transition to new staff leadership to position the association to serve the needs of this rapidly expanding industry.”
Prior to joining NGVAmerica, Kolodziej spent 18 years at American Gas Association in various management and senior roles, including vice president of planning, vice president of communications and senior vice president of marketing and communications. He was group vice president of American Gas when he left for NGVAmerica.
“Rich has done an extraordinary job as leader and spokesman for the NGV industry,” added Ronald Eickelman, chairman of NGVAmerica and president of Agility Fuel Systems. “The industry has seen tremendous growth during these past two decades, and Rich has been instrumental in helping drive that expansion and successfully leading the association through this evolution.”
Kolodziej also serves on committees of a number of energy and alternative fuel vehicle organizations, including the Council and Executive Committee of the International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles, the Board of Directors of the National Clean Cities, Inc., and the Alternative Fuels Committee of the Transportation Research Board. He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and served as chairman of its Energy and Natural Resource section. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the National Energy Foundation, and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
