Holman, a global leader in automotive services and fleet management solutions, has announced two pivotal executive appointments that signal a renewed focus on operational integration and enterprise transformation. Pete Dondlinger has been named President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Kristina Nicoles has been promoted to President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Both leaders have also joined the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.
The appointments come at a time of ambitious growth and innovation for Holman, which provides a broad range of services spanning fleet management, vehicle manufacturing and upfitting, powertrain distribution, and automotive insurance. With operations in North America and Europe, Holman continues to evolve from its roots as a family-run business into a sophisticated global enterprise serving a diverse portfolio of commercial clients.
As COO, Dondlinger will be responsible for all commercial business segments, including Holman Fleet Management, Auto Truck Group, Holman Manufacturing, Holman Insurance, and ARI Powertrain. He brings with him a deep understanding of the company’s operational landscape, having previously led Holman’s manufacturing and upfitting division. Under his leadership, that business experienced significant expansion, including the opening of new facilities, improvements in supply chain management, and the integration of advanced vehicle technologies tailored to commercial customers.
Dondlinger’s promotion reflects his track record of strategic execution and his ability to manage complex business units while delivering strong financial performance. His focus will now expand to overseeing a globally integrated commercial organization, aligning service delivery across geographies, and scaling operations to meet growing demand for custom fleet solutions and sustainable transportation infrastructure.
Nicoles, in her new role as CAO, will oversee the company’s corporate infrastructure, including human resources, IT, legal and compliance, marketing, and corporate real estate. Having joined Holman in 2004, she has held a variety of leadership roles that span the company’s enterprise services and customer engagement operations. Her comprehensive understanding of internal business systems, combined with her people-first leadership approach, positions her to optimize organizational effectiveness as Holman expands its footprint.
In her previous capacity as Executive Vice President, Nicoles played a key role in implementing enterprise-wide systems, employee development programs, and cross-functional process improvements. Her work has been especially crucial in driving Holman’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and she is widely respected internally for fostering a culture that prioritizes collaboration and excellence.
CEO Chris Conroy praised the appointments, saying, “Pete and Kristina are exceptional leaders whose vision and values align perfectly with Holman’s mission to deliver innovative, customer-focused automotive solutions. Their contributions have been vital to our success, and I am confident that their leadership will be central to achieving our long-term strategic goals.”
The leadership realignment is part of a broader plan to streamline Holman’s executive structure and better position the company for sustained global growth. It also reinforces Holman’s commitment to internal talent development, as both Dondlinger and Nicoles have risen through the organization’s ranks.
Industry observers view the appointments as timely and forward-looking, particularly as Holman navigates shifts in fleet electrification, telematics integration, and customer expectations for data-driven service models. The company continues to invest in technology and infrastructure to support next-generation mobility, including electric vehicle fleet management, predictive analytics, and customized upfitting solutions that align with sustainability goals.
With more than 10,000 employees worldwide and a presence in over a dozen countries, Holman’s leadership transition is expected to foster tighter collaboration across divisions and ensure a unified strategy in delivering value to commercial customers across sectors such as logistics, construction, utilities, and government.
As COO and CAO, respectively, Dondlinger and Nicoles will report directly to Conroy and play critical roles in shaping Holman’s operational resilience, client engagement strategies, and long-term vision.
