Johnson’s new role at Cat

Denise Johnson has been chosen as the new group president of Caterpillar’s Resources Industries business.

Currently vice president with responsibility for the Material Handling & Underground Division, she replaces Ed Rapp, who announced his retirement recently.

Caterpillar chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman said, “Denise leads one of the largest and most complex businesses in the company – her division makes products primarily for the mining, waste and construction industries and employs about 8,000 people in 14 locations spanning four continents.

“She has successfully managed costs during the mining downturn and been deeply involved in restructuring within Resource Industries, all while gaining market position for multiple products in her portfolio.”

He added, “Above all, Denise is a leader inside and outside of Caterpillar. Whether she’s engaging with employees, strengthening relationships with key mining customers or serving as a strong role model to recruit more female engineers, Denise consistently excels.”

After a 22-year career with General Motors, Johnson joined Caterpillar in 2011 as general manager of Caterpillar’s Specialty Products business unit, where she had responsibility for nearly 20 facilities around the world.

A year later, she was elected vice president of the Diversified Products Division, with responsibility for industries including forestry, paving and on-highway trucks.

In 2013, she became vice president of the Integrated Manufacturing Operations Division overseeing major operations in Caterpillar’s largest division at the time. She took on her current role in 2014.

Johnson’s new position is effective from April 1, 2016, and Cat said her successor would be named at a later date.