Five Caterpillar officers have elected to retire Dec. 31, 2001. A part of resulting organizational changes, the company is consolidating some operations and realigning responsibilities to improve efficiencies and sharpen focus in a number of areas. The board of directors has elected four new vice presidents. The total number of vice presidents is reduced by one.
Caterpillar group president Gerald S. Flaherty retires after 42 years with the company; James Despain, vice president with responsibility for track-type tractors division, after 46 years of service; Michael Flexsenhar, vice president with responsibility for the mining & construction equipment division, after 36 years of service; Sig Ramseyer, vice president with responsibility for Asia-Pacific Division, after 40 years with the company; and Robert Rennie Atterbury III, vice president with responsibility for the legal services divisions, after 35 years of service.
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Eric Liner was appointed district manager at Stone Construction Equipment. He will serve equipment dealers and rental houses in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and three Canadian provinces. Robert Kelly joined the company as regional manager. Kelly will be responsible for the management of the Northeastern Region's direct and indirect sales representatives.
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Ingersoll-Rand Co. announced that Ann Stern Berzin was elected to the company's board of directors, effective Oct. 15. Formerly, Berzin practiced corporate and municipal finance law prior to joining Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. as general counsel.
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Ringhaver Equipment Co., a central Florida-based distributor of Caterpillar power systems and heavy equipment, promoted Jim Cress to Power Systems General Service Manager. Ritt Hall was promoted to Power Systems Service Manager of the company's Tampa branch.
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Rex Perisho was recently promoted to senior vice president, marketing and sales for Compaction America Inc. In his new position, Mr. Perisho will oversee marketing and sales activities for the Bomag and Hypac product lines in the U.S., plus all product support and parts sales and distribution.
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Empire Fire and Marine Insurance Co. named two new assistant vice presidents. Roger Morrison was named assistant vice president of the newly formed business development department. John Beck was named assistant vice president for its special operations division, which targets the auto rental and dealer industries.
Peter Fritscher is now handling specialty markets as well as key accounts that previously fell under WAP Key Accounts at Alto U.S. Inc., St. Louis, Mo. Ken Rothmel and Stan DeLuga are now responsible for the automotive market, and Scott Grosze is a product engineer at the company's Springdale location.
David Hickmon was named test engineer and Kevin Mitchell was named project engineer, both at the Springdale location. Tom Reynolds joined the company as materials manager and Ronald Schneider was named NODI leader. John Castaldo was appointed vice president of sales for North America and Tom Benton was appointed vice president of marketing and NODI.
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Mike Vaught was named vice president, articulated haulers, and Peter Causer was appointed vice president, excavators for Volvo Construction Equipment North America, Asheville, N.C.
