Executive changes at Caterpillar

Caterpillar group presidents Stu Levenick and Steve Wunning have announced plans to retire from the company, prompting a string of senior management changes. Current vice presidents Tom Pellette and Rob Charter will be promoted, while there will be a change of responsibilities for current group president Ed Rapp.

Mr Rapp will take over Mr Wunning’s responsibilities for Caterpillar’s Resource Industries business, which focuses on the mining industry. Mr Pellette will take over Mr Rapp’s current role as head of the Construction Industries division, while Mr Charter is a straight replacement for Mr Levenick in his group president role with responsibility for customer & dealer support.

Caterpillar chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman said, “For the last 10 years, Stu and Steve have both provided critical leadership as part of Caterpillar’s Executive Office (EO), capping Caterpillar careers that together total nearly 80 years of service. We will all miss their outstanding leadership, and both leave unique and lasting legacies within Caterpillar, as the company has transformed itself and dramatically expanded to serve new markets and industries over the course of their distinguished careers.

“In the coming years, I look forward to working with Rob, Tom and the rest of Caterpillar’s leadership team as we continue our drive toward improving performance, growing the company, focusing on the customer and delivering our strategic goals over the next several years.”

Caterpillar vice president Pablo Koziner will take over Mr Pellette’s responsibilities as president of the company’s Solar Turbines. He is currently vice president with responsibility for the Americas Distribution Services Division. His existing role will be taken up by newly appointed vice president Phil Kelliher.

Bob De Lange has also been appointed a vice president of the company to take over Mr Charter’s existing role with responsibility for the Excavation Division.

The changes in responsibility will take effect from January 1, 2015.

In other news from Caterpillar, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, Steve Gosselin, has announced his retirement effective from February 1. George Taylor, currently general manager for Caterpillar’s Global On-Highway Truck group will replace him with effect from January 1, 2015.