Caterpillar Inc. last week announced that Richard Case, vice president with responsibility for the Marine & Petroleum Power Division, has resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities. Case’s departure from Caterpillar will be effective May 1.

Caterpillar’s board of directors has appointed Tom Frake to replace Case as vice president, Marine & Petroleum Power Division. Frake’s appointment is effective April 1. Frake began his career at Caterpillar in 1986, and has held a series of positions with increasing responsibility at Caterpillar locations in North America, Asia and South America. Frake is currently based in Singapore, where he is the worldwide product manager for hydraulic excavators. He will relocate to Hamburg, Germany, in his new role leading the Marine & Petroleum Power Division.

“Tom has the kind of deep expertise and wide-ranging global experience in marketing and dealer and product development that, along with his proven track record, makes him an ideal candidate to lead our growing marine and petroleum engine business,” said Gerard Vittecoq, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for Energy & Power Systems.

Frake joined Caterpillar in 1986 in the Marketing Training Program. In 1988, he moved to a marketing position in Hong Kong and then advanced into a series of other marketing positions in Asia over the next seven years. In 1995, he relocated to Singapore after being named a manager for the Hydraulic Excavator Division. Frake was appointed district manager in Santiago, Chile, in 1999. In the early and mid 2000s, Frake held positions as a corporate accounts manager for the North American Commercial Division and as a product manager in the Track-Type Tractors Division. He has been the worldwide product manager for hydraulic excavators since 2007.

Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.