Caterpillar Inc. last week announced several changes in responsibilities for current vice presidents. The company's board of directors also appointed a new vice president. All moves are effective January 1, 2019.
Raymond Chan, who currently has responsibility for Caterpillar's Asia Pacific, CIS, Africa & Middle East Distribution Services Division, will now oversee the Asia Pacific Distribution Services Division.
Caterpillar's Services, Distribution and Digital (SD&D) segment is restructuring its distribution divisions to better serve its global customer and dealer base, the company said.
"By concentrating our distribution support into three distinct regions, we are better able to support our dealers and customers around the world," said SD&D group president Bob De Lange. "Our leaders will provide the expertise and focused local resources to support our dealers in offering the products, solutions and services our customers deserve."
Phil Kelliher will transition from the vice president of the Americas and Europe Distribution Services Division to the vice president of the Americas Distribution Services Division. Kelliher has been a Caterpillar vice president since 2015.
Nigel Lewis, currently vice president of Global Aftermarket Solutions Division, will now have responsibility for the Europe, Africa and Middle East Distribution Services Division. Lewis became a Caterpillar vice president in 2012.
Current Global Construction & Infrastructure (GCI) Division vice president Damien Giraud, who was named a vice president in 2017, will now lead the Global Aftermarket Solutions Division within SD&D.
"Damien's deep product and marketing background will serve him well in his new role overseeing our aftermarket division, which is key to growing our services offerings," said De Lange.
Also, Caterpillar's board of directors has appointed Jason Conklin, currently industry region manager within GCI, to the position of vice president of GCI.
"Jason brings nearly 20 years of progressive sales and product experience to this role and a strong background in building relationships with dealers and customers during assignments around the world,” said Construction Industries Group president Tom Pellette. “Combined with his ability to execute on strategic priorities, he is an excellent fit to lead GCI."
Conklin joined Caterpillar as an intern in 1998 before moving into marketing and sales roles around the United States in various construction divisions. In 2012, he became the industry sales manager for the Building Construction Products Division. He moved to Switzerland in 2015 to become a product manager within Caterpillar's Earthmoving Division before taking on his current role as industry region manager within GCI. Conklin holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois.
With 2017 sales and revenues of $45.5 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three primary segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.
