Caterpillar Inc. last week appointed Kimberly Hauer vice president, Human Services Division. Hauer will assume her new role effective Jan. 1, 2011. She will replace Greg Folley, whose move to become vice president of the Remanufacturing & Components Division was previously announced.

“Kim is a consummate human resources professional with global experience and demonstrated deep expertise that position her to lead the on-going transformation of our Human Services Division,” said Ed Rapp, Caterpillar chief financial officer and group president with responsibility for corporate services. “As part of our updated strategy, we are focusing on developing the best team of people and building a world-class leadership development program for our global base of employees. Kim will be the first career HR professional to lead HSD for Caterpillar, and based on her demonstrated leadership as we have realigned our global HR organization, I am certain she will continue to drive results in support of our global strategy.”

Hauer joined Caterpillar in 1997 as part of the company’s HR Professional Development Program. She advanced through numerous positions with increasing responsibilities in the areas of human resources, labor relations and succession planning, including a role as a compensation and benefits manager for Caterpillar’s Logistics Division based in Belgium. Hauer is currently a group and regional HR director for Caterpillar, based in Geneva.

Caterpillar is headquartered in Peoria, Ill.