Caterpillar has announced several officer moves including changes in responsibilities for three executive office members, new roles for two current vice presidents and the appointment of two new vice presidents. All changes are effective 1 March 2019. 

“These organisational changes will facilitate the acceleration of our strategy for continued profitable growth,” said Jim Umpleby, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar.

Tom Pellette has been appointed as senior vice president of Caterpillar. After four years as group president separately leading the Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation segments, he has chosen to return to San Diego, California for family reasons.

Mr Pellette will serve as president of Solar Turbines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar and a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of gas turbine systems and compressors for the oil and gas and power generation industries. He previously spent more than 20 years in the division.

Mr Pellette will also serve as strategic advisor to the Caterpillar Executive Office.

Ramin Younessi, currently group president of Energy & Transportation, will become group president of Construction Industries.

In his new role, Mr Younessi will be responsible for the company’s Earthmoving, Excavation, Building Construction Products, China Operations and Global Construction & Infrastructure divisions, as well as Global Rental and Used Equipment Services.

Billy Ainsworth, current senior vice president of Caterpillar Rail Division and CEO of Progress Rail, has been named group president of Energy & Transportation. Since 2017, Mr Ainsworth has served as strategic advisor to the Caterpillar Executive Office in addition to his responsibilities for the Rail Division.

In addition, Caterpillar is now separating the current Global Power Solutions divisions into two new industry focused divisions: Oil, Gas and Marine Division and Electric Power Division. These new divisions will be led by two vice presidents.

Joe Creed, current vice president of Caterpillar’s Finance Services Division, will take up the role as vice president of Oil, Gas and Marine Division. He also most recently served as interim chief financial officer for the company. Prior to his leadership in Caterpillar’s finance functions, Mr Creed worked in the company’s engine and machine businesses.

Pablo Koziner, current vice president of Caterpillar and president of Solar Turbines, has been selected as new vice president of Electric Power Division. He has nearly 20 years of experience in various roles around the world, the last six as a vice president.

Furthermore, Caterpillar has appointed Marty Haycraft to succeed Mr Ainsworth as vice president of Caterpillar Rail Division and CEO of Progress Rail.

Mr Haycraft is currently president of Progress Rail’s global operations where his primary responsibilities include overseeing the company’s rolling stock and infrastructure businesses.

Kyle Epley has also been named vice president of Finance Services Division. He currently serves as corporate controller where he has responsibility for business analysis, competitive analysis, economics, strategic planning and operating & execution model governance.