Douglas R. Oberhelman
Chairman & CEO, Caterpillar Inc.
Committee Chair: International Engagement Committee.
Douglas R. Oberhelman is Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Ill., and Chair of Business Roundtable’s International Engagement Committee. He has responsibility for the company’s human services and sustainable development functions as well as Caterpillar’s growing remanufacturing business. He also oversees worldwide manufacturing, marketing and support of industrial and large power systems, industrial gas turbines and Progress Rail Services. As Vice Chairman and CEO Elect, he is also responsible for developing the future strategic plan for the company.
Oberhelman joined Caterpillar in 1975 and has held a variety of positions including senior finance representative based in South America for Caterpillar Americas Co; region finance manager and district manager for the company’s North American Commercial Division; and managing director and vice general manager for strategic planning at Caterpillar Japan Ltd. (CJL) – Tokyo, Japan.
Oberhelman was elected a vice president in 1995, serving as Caterpillar’s chief financial officer with administrative responsibility for the corporation’s accounting, information services, tax, treasury, investor relations and marketing support services areas from 1995 to November 1998. In 1998, he became vice president with responsibility for the Engine Products Division, including the market development, strategic planning, supplier management, electric power generation and worldwide marketing and administration for Caterpillar’s engine business. He was elected a group president and member of Caterpillar’s executive office in 2002.
Oberhelman has a bachelor’s degree from Millikin University. He has served as chairman of the board of trustees for Millikin University and chairman of the board of directors for Easter Seals, and he is a former director for the boards of South Side Bank, Millikin University and Easter Seals. He is a director for the boards of The Nature Conservancy – Illinois Chapter; Ameren Corporation, serving as chairman of the Ameren Corporation Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee; and Eli Lilly and Company, serving on the Audit and Finance Committees. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturing Institute and the Wetlands America Trust.