Caterpillar Announces Changes, Appointments for Vice Presidents

Following the announcement that two group presidents are retiring and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice Presidents Bill Springer and Gary Stampanato.

Bill Springer Retirement

After more than 39 years with Caterpillar, Bill Springer, vice president of the diversified products division, has elected to retire. Springer’s retirement will be effective Feb. 1, 2013.

“During a career spanning four decades, Bill has developed a reputation for finding innovative solutions for our customers,” said Steve Wunning, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Resource Industries. “His demonstrated leadership and passion for supporting our customers is the hallmark of his career.”

Springer joined Caterpillar in 1973. Early in his career, Springer worked in various parts and service marketing positions, including six years where he worked extensively with Caterpillar dealers in Latin America and the Middle East. In 1979, Springer returned to Peoria, Ill., and spent the next 10 years in a variety of product support development and marketing roles, including marketing manager of the Cat Service Technology Group.

In 1989, he was named general manager of Cat Export Services, a parts distribution organization responsible for handling customers’ direct export parts orders. Three years later, Springer accepted the position of district manager with Caterpillar of Australia, where he worked closely with dealer senior management and large international customers.

In 1998, he became president of Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc., responsible for all third-party logistics clients.

Springer was elected vice president with responsibility for the product support division in 2002. In 2009, he became vice president with responsibility for the quarry and specialty industries division. In 2010, he was named to his current position, vice president with responsibility for the diversified products division.

Gary Stampanato Retirement

After 35 years with Caterpillar, Gary Stampanato, vice president of the excavation division, has elected to retire. Stampanato’s retirement will be effective Feb. 1, 2013.

“During an outstanding career with Caterpillar, Gary has earned a reputation as an innovative and creative leader with a deep level of expertise in manufacturing processes and excellence,” said Rich Lavin, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Construction Industries & Growth Markets. “Most recently, Gary has been instrumental in growing Caterpillar’s global excavator manufacturing footprint and business, which positions the company for market leadership with this important product.”

Since joining Caterpillar in 1978 as part of Caterpillar’s College Training & Management Development program, Stampanato has held numerous positions, including a variety of manufacturing-related positions. In 1989, he was named product development manager of large mining equipment at Caterpillar’s Decatur, Ill., facility. He also served as product manager for large wheel loaders and general manager of the hydraulics/fabrications business unit before being named general manager of the large engine center in Lafayette, Ind. In 2006, Caterpillar’s board of directors named Stampanato vice president with responsibility for the infrastructure product development division and then in January 2009, vice president of the excavation division.

Qihua Chen Appointed Vice President of China Operations Division

Caterpillar has a long history in the Chinese market, and as China’s economy has developed and matured over the last several decades, the company and its dealers have made significant investments to grow operations and customer support facilities.

Caterpillar’s success in China is defined as one of its “Big 8” strategic imperatives critical for Caterpillar to achieve its 2015 strategy. Because of this, the company has created a new, Beijing-based executive position, and its board of directors has appointed Qihua Chen as a Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for China operations. Chen also will assume the role of country manager of Caterpillar in China.

“For the last several years, Qihua has been the general manager for Caterpillar’s flagship manufacturing facility in China, Caterpillar Xuzhou Ltd. [CXL],” said Ed Rapp, who as was previously announced will become group president with responsibility for Construction Industries effective Jan. 1, 2013. “Under Qihua’s leadership at CXL, the facility has made dramatic improvements in productivity, while also significantly increasing its capacity and improving machine quality. In fact, CXL is the Caterpillar facility that we benchmark for internal improvements at other facilities,” Rapp added.

In this new executive role, Chen will have responsibility for interface between Caterpillar and key Chinese government leaders, as well as representing the company on industry issues in China. In addition, Chen will continue to have a significant role as a member of the board of directors of Siwei, a Chinese underground coal mining equipment company recently acquired by Caterpillar. Chen also will have accountability for two of Caterpillar’s major construction machinery facilities in China, located in Xuzhou and Suzhou.

“The success of these facilities will play a critical part in Caterpillar’s overall China strategy, and I am confident that Qihua Chen is the best person to succeed in this new role,” Rapp added.

Chen, a native of China, has been with Caterpillar for 18 years. He has held a range of manufacturing positions with increasing responsibility in China. He played a critical role leading the integration of Shandong Engineering Machinery (SEM), a wholly-owned Chinese wheel loader manufacturer acquired by Caterpillar. In addition, Chen was based at Caterpillar’s Technical Center in Mossville, Ill., from 1999 through 2003. He is a director of the China Construction Machinery Association and is vice president of the Jiangsu Foreign Investment Association. Chen will assume his new position effective Jan. 1, 2013.

New Responsibilities for Vice Presidents Rob Charter, Paolo Fellin, Gwenne Henricks and Tana Utley

In keeping with Caterpillar’s history and custom of providing continuous leadership and career development opportunities, Caterpillar’s board of directors has approved changes in responsibilities for current Caterpillar Vice Presidents Rob Charter, Paolo Fellin, Gwenne Henricks and Tana Utley. These changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Following the announcement of the retirement of Gary Stampanato, vice president of the excavation division, Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Rob Charter, vice president of the Asia Pacific distribution division, to replace Stampanato. Charter was first named a Caterpillar vice president in 2009.

Charter joined Caterpillar in 1989 as a development engineer in Melbourne, Australia, his native country. Over the years, he’s worked closely with dealers in Asia, Australia and Latin America. He also has experience in product management, including his role as product manager in Tokyo. In 2005, he was named a regional manager in Caterpillar’s Latin America division.

Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Paolo Fellin, currently Caterpillar vice president for the EAME distribution division, as vice president of the newly created Construction industries sales and marketing division. This newly created division will leverage and build on the excellent work and results that have been delivered by the existing organization within Caterpillar. The objective of the division will be consistent with the company’s business model to grow a large base of machinery population and to increase the company’s global leadership position for construction machinery.

The new division will be located in Geneva, Switzerland, where Fellin is currently based and will report to Ed Rapp.

“As we evaluated our key objectives for meeting our 2015 goals and beyond, it became clear that this part of our organization should be elevated to the division level and be led by an experienced vice president,” Rapp said.

Fellin, a native of Italy, has been with Caterpillar for 32 years. He was first named a Caterpillar vice president for the EAME marketing division in 2004, following a series of positions with increasing responsibilities in sales and marketing, product development and operations for Caterpillar in Europe/CIS, Africa, the Middle East and the United States.

Gwenne Henricks was first named a Caterpillar vice president in 2007, and has been vice president of the UK-based industrial power systems and growth markets division since 2009. Henricks will relocate to the United States as Caterpillar’s chief technology officer and vice president of the product development and global technology division.

Tana Utley was first named a Caterpillar vice president in 2007. She is currently Caterpillar’s chief technology officer and vice president of the product development and global technology division. She will become the vice president of the UK-based industrial power systems and growth markets division. Utley also will assume the role of country manager of Caterpillar in the UK, where she will relocate.

Nigel Lewis Appointed Vice President of EAME Distribution Division

Following the announcement that Paolo Fellin will assume duties as vice president of the newly created Construction industries sales and marketing division, Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Nigel Lewis to replace Fellin as vice president with responsibility for the EAME distribution division.

“Nigel brings extensive leadership experience in dealer development and administration, most recently as the region manager for South America for distribution services,” said Stu Levenick, group president of customer and dealer support.

“His additional leadership experience with our Perkins engine business in his native UK and in Asia provides him with a global perspective that will serve our dealers in the EAME region well,” Levenick added.

Lewis joined Perkins, a wholly owned Caterpillar subsidiary, in 1998 as a pricing manager and held a series of marketing positions with increasing responsibility with Perkins in the UK. In 2002, he was promoted to general manager for Perkins Engines Asia Pacific and was based in Singapore. In 2004, Lewis moved to global revenue management in Peoria, Ill., before moving to Nashville, Tenn., as district manager in what is now the Caterpillar Americas distribution division.

Lewis will relocate to Geneva, Switzerland, for his new position, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Jim Johnson Appointed Vice President of Asia Pacific Distribution Division

Following the announcement that Rob Charter will assume new responsibilities as the vice president of the excavation division, Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Jim Johnson to replace Charter as vice president with responsibility for the Asia Pacific distribution division.

“During his 35 years with Caterpillar, Jim has developed deep expertise and a global perspective leading organizations in the areas of product support, rental, marketing and parts support,” Levenick said. “His reputation for focusing on providing solutions to our customers and his previous work with dealers in several regions of the world will serve him well in this new role.”

Johnson joined Caterpillar in 1977 as part of the engineering Co-op training program in East Peoria, Ill. During the 1980’s, Johnson held a series of service positions with increasing responsibilities. From 1988 until 1994, Johnson was a machine sales, service and parts sales representative. Johnson then advanced through a series of marketing and product positions in the United States, UK and Japan. In 2004, he became the managing director of sales and marketing for Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi. In 2006, he moved back to the United States to start up the global rental and used equipment department within the marketing and product support division. He is currently president of Caterpillar Used Equipment Services Inc. and general manager of the Lifecycle Products and Services department in the Customer Services Support Division. Johnson will relocate to Singapore for his new position, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Denise Johnson Appointed Vice President of Diversified Products Division

Following the announcement of the retirement of Bill Springer, Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Denise Johnson to replace Springer as vice president with responsibility for the diversified products division. Johnson is currently the general manager of Caterpillar’s specialty products business unit, where she has responsibility for 17 facilities across the Americas, Europe and Asia. She joined Caterpillar in 2011 following a career with General Motors (GM), where she built deep expertise in operations and product management in a series of positions in the United States, Canada and Brazil.

“In a short period of time, Denise has made a significant impact at Caterpillar, driving systems improvements at several facilities,” said Steve Wunning, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Resource Industries. “Denise had a proven track record with GM, running complex manufacturing and product organizations with global reach and scope. This experience will serve her well as she takes over leadership of our diversified products division,” Wunning added.

Johnson joined GM as an associate product engineer and then held various positions within engineering, manufacturing and planning prior to being named as plant manager of Oshawa Truck Assembly in Ontario, Canada. She also held leadership positions as the vice president of North America labor relations and the vehicle line director / vehicle chief engineer for small car products. She also was president and managing director of GM do Brasil, São Caetano do Sul, Brasil. Johnson will assume her new position effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Julie Lagacy Appointed Vice President of Finance Services Division

Following the previous announcement that Brad Halverson has been appointed a Caterpillar group president and CFO, Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Julie Lagacy to replace Halverson as vice president with responsibility for the finance services division. Lagacy has been with Caterpillar for 24 years and is currently the CFO for Caterpillar Global Mining.

“Within Caterpillar, Julie is recognized for her leadership, financial acumen and the breadth of her work across multiple business units,” Halverson said. “In her most recent role, Julie has provided outstanding financial and strategic leadership to Caterpillar Global Mining during the integration of Bucyrus International, the largest acquisition in our company’s history,” Halverson added.

Lagacy joined Caterpillar in 1988 as a pricing analyst. She has held a number of pricing positions with increasing responsibilities. In addition, Lagacy brings experience from previous leadership positions as a product manager, commercial manager and human resources manager. Lagacy will assume her new position effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Tom Pellette Appointed a Caterpillar Vice President, President of Solar Turbines

Following the previous announcement that Jim Umpleby has been appointed a Caterpillar group president with responsibility for energy and power systems, Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Tom Pellette to replace Umpleby as a Caterpillar vice president and the president of Solar Turbines. Pellette has been with Solar Turbines for 19 years and is currently Solar Turbines vice president for customer services.

“Tom brings a combination of outstanding leadership skills and a depth of global experience across Solar’s business to this position,” said Umpleby. “His deep expertise and understanding of Solar’s customer base and its global operations will ensure a seamless transition for this business,” Umpleby added.

Pellette joined Solar Turbines in 1993 as a sales engineer based in Belgium. During his career, he has held a range of sales, product support and engineering positions with increasing responsibility with Solar, including significant experience in leadership positions in Europe, Asia and the United States. Prior to joining Solar, Pellette worked for Tennessee Gas and Leybold Technologies. Pellette will assume his new duties effective Jan. 1, 2013.