
Each week, TruckNews.com lists notable moves, promotions and awards in the trucking industry.
This week, Steven Piepgrass joined HTEC as chief operations officer and Cummins announced that its executive vice-president and president of operations Srikanth Padmanabhan will retire in April. Lee Zeldin was appointed as the new administrator of the U.S. EPA, and Sean Duffy was sworn in as the 20th U.S. DOT secretary.
Piepgrass named HTEC’s chief operations officer
HTEC has appointed Steven Piepgrass as chief operations officer (COO). He brings more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector with a focus on clean energy solutions and operational efficiency.

Piepgrass will oversee engineering and support the execution of projects aimed at ensuring the safe and reliable availability of low-carbon hydrogen, the company said in a news release.
Before joining HTEC, Piepgrass held senior leadership positions at Green Impact Partners and ATCO Group. At Green Impact Partners, he led projects converting organic waste into renewable natural gas and contributed to the development of Future Energy Park, a bioethanol and renewable natural gas facility in Calgary. His tenure at ATCO Group included overseeing natural gas pipeline projects, midstream natural gas decommissioning, industrial water systems, and salt cavern hydrocarbon storage. He was also involved in hydrogen blending research and explored storage solutions for hydrogen in salt caverns.
“We’re excited to have Steven join the team,” said Colin Armstrong, CEO and president of HTEC. “His experience in energy, large capital projects, Indigenous relations and contract negotiations will be invaluable as we continue to build the low-carbon future we want to live in and leave behind for future generations.”
Cummins’ Padmanabhan to retire after 34 years
Cummins has announced the retirement of Srikanth Padmanabhan, executive vice-president and president of operations, effective April 4. His departure marks the end of a 34-year tenure at the company, during which he held leadership roles across multiple business segments.

Padmanabhan joined Cummins in 1991 and held leadership roles across manufacturing, power generation, components, and engine businesses. According to a news release, as president of Cummins Emissions Solutions, he guided the company’s efforts to meet emissions regulations while expanding the business globally. Later, as president of the engine business, he led the company through periods of revenue growth, strengthened joint ventures, and oversaw product quality improvements, the company said, adding that his tenure also saw the introduction of the Cummins HELM fuel-agnostic platforms.
“I have the utmost respect and deepest gratitude for Srikanth. His leadership, dedication, and business contributions have left an indelible impact on Cummins, and I am immensely grateful for his years of service,” said Jennifer Rumsey, chairwoman and CEO of Cummins, in a release.
Zeldin sworn in as new EPA administrator
Lee Zeldin was appointed as the new administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Sworn in on Jan. 29 as the 17th EPA administrator, Zeldin said in a related news release that he plans to focus on environmental stewardship while also prioritizing economic growth.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we will take great strides to defend every American’s access to clean air, clean water, and clean land,” he said.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has congratulated former congressman on the appointment. In a statement, TCA president Jim Ward said the association looks forward to working with Zeldin and the EPA to address emission reduction challenges. “TCA has consistently supported renewable diesel and other alternative fuels as vital steps toward achieving a more sustainable future,” Ward said. “We remain committed to advocating for practical and achievable timelines for implementing emission-reduction technologies to ensure the trucking industry’s continued success.”
TCA, a participant in the Clean Freight Coalition, also emphasized the importance of open dialogue with the EPA to ensure emission standards align with infrastructure readiness and technological advancements.
Duffy becomes U.S. DOT transportation secretary
Sean Duffy was sworn in as the 20th U.S. transportation secretary on Jan. 28 and immediately took steps to roll back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

His first action in office was signing a memorandum directing the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin a rulemaking process to rescind or replace current CAFE standards. The move is intended to lower vehicle costs and eliminate electric vehicle mandates.
American trucking industry, including American Trucking Association (ATA) welcomed Duffy’s confirmation as DOT secretary. ATA president and CEO Chris Spear called the confirmation an endorsement of Duffy’s qualifications and experience. “It also reflects his commitment to unite stakeholders around commonsense policies to make our transportation network safer and more efficient,” he added in a release.
“Secretary Duffy was a steadfast supporter of hardworking truckers and the work that they do to deliver the nation’s freight. We look forward to building on our partnership with Secretary Duffy in the years ahead to modernize our infrastructure and increase the resiliency of our supply chain.”
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