Perkins Engines Co., a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc, announced David Nicoll has joined the Industrial Large Engine department as product manager. Beginning November 1, 2019, he will lead global strategy, product introductions, and lifecycle management for Industrial 9.3 to 18 litre engines at the Mossville, Ill., facility.
In Nicoll’s decades-long tenure at Caterpillar, which acquired Perkins in 1998, he has gained experience across a wide variety of roles in distribution, machine and engine businesses.
“It’s clear David’s passion lies in seeing our customers thrive,” said Perkins vice president of global sales, marketing, service and parts Jaz Gill. “His customer-focused approach is key to his—and our company’s—success. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact that his distinctive outlook will bring to the large engine division and Perkins as a whole.”
Before beginning his career at Caterpillar, Nicoll earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Bradley University, and went on to earn his MBA from the University of Cambridge Judge Business school. He also serves as a leader with several professional organizations such as the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Components Committee.
Succeeding Nicoll will be Jason Kern, fulfilling the role of marketing and channel development director, also effective Nov. 1. In this role, Kern will be responsible for execution of global marketing and rental strategies and leading the Perkins Distributor Excellence program.
In his career with Caterpillar, Kern has held multiple titles of increasing importance including marketing supervisor in Aurora, Ill., commercial manager in Grenoble, France, Americas regional product manager, and most recently, large HEX global growth manager.
“Jason brings a unique set of talent and skills to Perkins,” said Jaz. “The positions he’s held within the business have earned him global recognition both in and outside of the organization, and his innovative spirit and passion will be an excellent fit for his new leadership role.”
As a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Kern began his Caterpillar career on the marketing training program. Since then, Jason has earned his M.B.A. from Bradley University.
Kern will be located at Perkins’ Seguin, Texas, facility.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.