Mercedes-Benz has tapped a new CEO for its Alabama plant – just two weeks ahead of an historic union vote.

Federico Kochlowski, the Vance plant’s current vice president of operations, has been named president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), effective Wednesday.

Kochlowski will replace Michael Göbel, who has served in the role since 2019. Göbel will “transition to a new strategic role for Mercedes-Benz production in North America,” the company said in an announcement.

During his time, Göbel saw the plant through the COVID-19 pandemic and a $1 billion transition to electric vehicles. Since late last year, the United Auto Workers were also able to sign up approximately 70% of the plant’s workforce and petition for a union election.

The National Labor Relations Board has announced voting will take place May 13 and 17 on whether workers at MBUSI will join the UAW union. Vote totals are expected May 17.

Jörg Burzer, head of production, quality & supply chain management for Mercedes-Benz Group AG, thanked Göbel for his commitment over the last five years.

“When he took on this role, none of us could have imagined what was in store,” Burzer said. “He signed up to guide us through our transition to electric vehicles and ended up navigating through a global pandemic, as well. His steadfast leadership helped build a stronger MBUSI.”

According to the company, Kochlowski has served in multiple leadership roles with Mercedes.

“Since arriving at MBUSI I have been struck by the commitment of this workforce. Not only to building quality vehicles, but to one another,” Kochlowski said in a statement. “Our Alabama team members have a reputation for doing things differently. As CEO, I look forward to embracing those differences and helping our Team Members continue to build the kind of company and culture they’re proud to be a part of.”

Kochlowski graduated from Catholic University Cordoba in 1994, and earned an executive MBA from Michigan State in 2003. He joined Chrysler in 1996, and served in executive positions in Argentina, China and Mexico before he joined MBUSI last year.

Since 1997, around 4 million vehicles have rolled off the assembly line in Vance and the Tuscaloosa County plant is now home to more than 6,000 employees.