Columbus, Indiana-based Cummins named several company leaders as vice presidents, effective March 1.
The appointments are consistent with what the business stated is an approach to succession planning and leadership development for continued growth.
“The world is rapidly changing and we need strong leaders who excel at both strategy and execution to ensure our company, employees and communities can continue to thrive, and I am confident this group will help successfully guide us,” Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger said. “All five of these leaders are experts in their fields and hold roles strategically important to Cummins’ long-term success. They are highly capable leaders who consistently champion our leadership behaviors and live Cummins’ values in all they do. I am confident they will help us lead Cummins successfully.”
Among those promoted are Gary Johansen, now VP of power systems engineering. Johansen has been with the company since 1987, holding leadership roles in Cummins’ mid-range, heavy-duty, high horsepower, power generation and power systems businesses.
“Johansen is known as an outstanding engineer and has contributed significantly to Cummins,” the company stated. “His achievements include increasing the engineering infrastructure with new tools and techniques, focusing on improvements in product development, technology and innovation, launching several new large platform programs and the convergence of global product architecture.”
Jonathon White will become VP of engine segment engineering. He joined Cummins in 1988 and held leadership positions in product engineering, customer engineering, on-highway and off-highway engineering. White has global experience having lived and worked in the U.S., China and U.K., the company stated, which will position him to lead the global segment.
“White is committed to Cummins’ values of teamwork and excellence,” the company stated. “He has a collaborative leadership style that creates work environments that encourage idea generation and develop teams that arrive at the best, most creative solutions.”
Jason Wang will be VP of partnerships and joint ventures in the China-area business organization. Wang joined the company in 2009 as plant manager of Cummins Generator Technologies (CGT) in China, and since held leadership roles in many China-based business sectors.
“He excels in tactical operations and he has a deep understanding of how to manage complex strategic relationships to balance the needs of customers, suppliers, partnerships, employees and communities,” Cummins stated of Wang.
Kurt Kuhn joined Cummins in 2005 and will become VP of internal audit.
“Kuhn is a skilled financial expert with a unique blend of information technology, audit, process and internal control experience,” the company stated. “He has led several high-impact projects such as improving the global month-end close process from a systems and process perspective, and coordinating the company’s global internal controls assessment for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.”
Rounding out the five appointments is Carolyn Butler-Lee, who will become the company’s VP of diversity and inclusion. Butler-Lee joined Cummins in 1995 in internal audit, and since held roles in finance, compensation and benefits, logistics strategy for filtration and human resources.
“Butler-Lee is knowledgeable about the business and human resources, and uses her experience to lead strategic and tactical improvements across countries, segments, functions, work environments and personalities,” Cummins stated. “Butler-Lee is a strong and collaborative leader and committed to Cummins’ values of diversity and inclusion and excellence.”
