Proterra Announces Leadership Succession Plan
Among the additions, current President Gareth Joyce will succeed Jack Allen as CEO, who will retire but continue on the company's board, effective Jan. 2022.

Proterra Inc. President Gareth Joyce will succeed Jack Allen as CEO and join the company’s board, effective Jan. 1. Allen will retire as CEO and continue to serve on the company’s board as non-executive chairman at that time.
“Thanks to Jack’s leadership, Proterra has a strong foundation in place,” said Joyce. “As the race toward a zero-emission future continues, I am confident we will continue playing a central role in electrifying the commercial vehicle sector for years to come. As CEO, I will be committed to working with our incredibly talented team to provide customers with best-in-class electric buses and technology, growing our share of the EV market and creating long-term value for shareholders.”
Joyce has been with Proterra since 2020, most recently serving as president of Proterra. Prior to joining the company, he served as chief sustainability officer for Delta Air Lines, overseeing Delta’s $1 billion commitment toward becoming carbon neutral and leading the airline’s Global Sustainability team. Joyce has also held a variety of senior leadership positions with Mercedes-Benz throughout South Africa, Europe, and North America — his last role being CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. Prior to his time at Mercedes-Benz, Joyce held positions with IQ Business Group, Standard Bank South Africa, Blick PLC, Austen Security, and Deloitte & Touche.
The company also appointed Karina Franco Padilla as its new CFO.
Padilla, who brings more than 25 years of experience overseeing corporate and business unit finances, most recently served as SVP, finance, North America CFO at JELD-WEN. At JELD-WEN, Padilla also served as SVP, finance, corporate planning & analysis, and investor relations. Prior to joining JELD-WEN, Padilla also held leadership positions at Ingersoll Rand, including as interim CFO of the Latin America business unit and VP, finance, corporate planning & analysis.
Additionally, in conjunction with Joyce’s appointment, Proterra announced Ryan Popple will step down as a director on the company’s board. ML Krakauer, a proven technology executive, has been appointed to the board and will join the Compensation Committee.
“With Jack and Gareth on the board, I am confident that Proterra is in good hands, and that now is a good time for me to step away and ensure that our governance aligns with best-in-class practices,” said Popple. “As Proterra continues to grow and capitalize on the opportunities ahead, I look forward to following the company’s success.”
Originally posted on Metro
More Alternative Fuels

Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Power Up Beyond the Bus
See how districts are pairing electric buses with charging, solar, and V2G technology to cut costs, boost resilience, and unlock new fleet value.
Read More →
What the EPA’s Updated Clean School Bus Program Means for Fleet Electrification in 2026 and Beyond
A guide to the EPA’s evolving school bus grants, including how the Trump administration changed funding priorities and how school districts can prepare for future bus purchases.
Read More →A Solution Helping School Buses Charge Without Major Infrastructure Upgrades
Power Innovations International dishes on its EV charging technology designed to reduce infrastructure barriers, improve reliability, and support V2G applications for school bus fleets.
Read More →
New Eagle Launches All-in-One EV Control Platform
The new OpenECU NX3 platform integrates charging and vehicle controls into a single platform, with support for megawatt charging and vehicle-to-grid technologies.
Read More →
GreenPower Unveils New Heating Solution for Type A Bus
The all-electric bus manufacturer's new product aims to eliminate cold-cabin issues on its Nano BEAST zero-emission school buses operating in cold climates.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Plug In for the Long Haul
School districts across the U.S. are moving electric school bus plans into operation, with new fleet deployments, charging infrastructure, and long-term electrification partnerships taking shape.
Read More →The Achilles Heel of School Bus Electrification: BetterFleet’s Take
BetterFleet’s managing partner discusses AI-powered EV fleet management, vehicle-to-grid challenges, and the real challenges in bus electrification today, from ACT Expo.
Read More →
You're On Your Own to Pick a Drivetrain [Op-Ed]
After years of federal pressure toward electric school buses, districts are suddenly being told to choose their own path. Let’s explore the risks, realities, and politics behind school bus drivetrain decisions.
Read More →Wattson: Thomas Built’s Largest EV School Bus Yet
Check in with Mark Childers on the new Wattson Type D electric school bus, featuring faster charging, expanded passenger capacity, and advanced safety technology.
Read More →The New Era of Electric School Buses: V2G, Bidirectional Chargers & More
The Mobility House discusses AI-powered charging, vehicle-to-grid technology, smart energy management, and the next phase of school bus electrification.
Read More →
