Caterpillar Inc. last week announced the retirement of vice president Hans Haefeli and the appointment of his replacement, Jean Savage.
After more than 15 years with Caterpillar, Haefeli, vice president with responsibility for the Advanced Components & Systems Division, has elected to retire to return to the United Kingdom. Haefeli's retirement will be effective April 30, 2014.
"Hans came to Caterpillar building on a successful career in which he developed and demonstrated deep expertise in finance and accounting in the United Kingdom — a background that has served him well in both the engine and machine component units he led at Caterpillar," said Steve Wunning, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Resource Industries. "Hans has also provided outstanding executive leadership these past few years during the development and deployment of the company's connected worksite and telematics strategy. He has always been exceptional in leading his team and working across the enterprise with his collaborative and engaging leadership."
Caterpillar's board of directors appointed Savage as vice president with responsibility for the Advanced Components & Systems Division, replacing Haefeli. Savage is currently a senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Locomotive and Railcar Services business unit for Caterpillar subsidiary Progress Rail Services.
"Jean joined Progress Rail Services in 2002, bringing with her more than 20 years of outside business and military leadership experience," said Wunning. "In addition to her deep expertise in the rail business, her significant background in component manufacturing and engineering will serve her well as she leads ACSD."
Savage joined Progress Rail Services in 2002 as vice president for Quality and Continuous Improvement. She also spent nine years in the Army Reserves as a military intelligence officer.
Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.
