Cummins Inc. last week announced that it promoted Steve Charlton, formerly executive director of heavy duty engineering, to vice president of heavy duty engineering for the company. Charlton has been with Cummins for 15 years. It also announced that it has promoted Jeff Weikert, formerly executive director of MidRange Engineering, to vice president of MidRange Engineering. Weikert is an 18-year Cummins veteran.
“Steve’s leadership has enabled Cummins to move from ‘regulatory survival’ to using our emission technology as a competitive advantage,” said Jim Kelly, Engine Business president. “Much of our increased market share in the North American heavy-duty business can be traced to Steve and his efforts on behalf of our successful, on-time product launches in 2002 and 2007.”
Charlton joined Cummins’ Advanced Engineering organization and worked on the early plans for the V-8 light-duty diesel engine. He became executive director of research in 1999 and was named executive director of advanced engineering in 2001. In 2004, he was appointed technical leader on the project to develop the heavy-duty engine products to meet the 2007 EPA emissions standards. He was promoted to his current role in 2006.
Weikert joined Cummins in 1990 after working several years for Mack Truck. His first position was in combustion, performance and emission development. From 1994 to 1996, he led the mechanical development group, moving to the role of Chief Engineer of the B Series engine in 1997. From 2000 to 2002, he served as team project leader for the European Engine Alliance and from there was named program leader in advanced engineering for the 2007 products. He became program leader for the 2007 MidRange products in 2004 before accepting his current position in 2006.