Cummins has announced that president and COO, Rich Freeland will retire after 40 years of service with Cummins.
As part of Cummins’ successions plans, the following leadership appointments are also taking place, all of which are effective Oct. 15:
- Distribution President Tony Satterthwaite will succeed Freeland as president and COO.
- Components President Tracy Embree will succeed Satterthwaite as distribution business president.
- Chief Technical Officer Jennifer Rumsey will succeed Embree as components business president.
- Jim Fier will succeed Rumsey as chief technical officer.
“I want to personally thank Rich for his many contributions to Cummins and his friendship and support over the 25 years I have known and worked with him,” said Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO of Cummins. “He is one of the most effective leaders in Cummins history because of his ability to connect with customers, develop our employees, and his deep understanding of nearly every element of our business. Equally impressive to me is that Rich has accomplished these things in an unassuming, humble manner. He has an unrelenting commitment to our core values and always makes the right decisions for our business, for our people and our communities. His positive impact is vast, and Rich will be missed by many, many people inside and outside of Cummins.”
Freeland joined Cummins in 1979 as a second shift foreman in the parts distribution center in Columbus, Ind., the day after his graduation from Purdue University. Freeland spent his entire 40-year career with Cummins. Over his career, Freeland successfully led three of Cummins’ five business segments and he was responsible for all of Cummins’ global operations as COO, a position he has held since 2014. Freeland will also resign from the board of directors of the company, effective Oct. 15.
Satterthwaite, currently the distribution business president that employs about 16,000 people worldwide, will succeed Freeland as president and COO of Cummins. Satterthwaite joined Cummins in 1988 and has held leadership positions throughout the company’s businesses and operations. Before his current position, Satterthwaite led Cummins Power Generation from 2008 to 2015.
Embree will succeed Sattherthwaite as distribution business president. Embree has led the components business for five years, bringing the business to record sales and profitability. Under her leadership, the component product lines expanded to include transmissions. In addition, Cummins has grown market share around the world. Embree has held many leadership roles in different areas of the business, including several critical customer-facing roles.
Rumsey will succeed Embree as components business president. Rumsey has served in technical leadership roles since she joined Cummins in 2000 and currently serves as chief technical officer. Rumsey has held roles in engineering leadership, new product program leadership, controls, aftertreatment technology, advanced engineering, and quality. Rumsey has been involved in some of the most important products and technologies that the company has developed over the last 19 years.
Fier will succeed Rumsey as chief technical officer. Fier has been with Cummins for more than 30 years and is a highly accomplished engineering leader. In engine development, Fier is recognized as one of the most technically skilled and experienced engineers in the industry.
Fier has demonstrated the ability to build strong teams and cultivate confidence and credibility among our customers and many different partners across the industry.