Caterpillar Inc has appointed Cheryl H Johnson as the company's Chief Human Resources Officer effective July 24, 2017. 

Prior to Caterpillar, Johnson was the Executive Vice President of HR for Textron Inc, a $13.8 billion global multi-industry aerospace, defence and industrial manufacturing company.

Johnson brings more than 20 years of human resources leadership experience to Caterpillar and she will report directly to Caterpillar CEO Jim Umpleby. Also, she will be a member of Caterpillar's executive office. 

Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets.

"Cheryl is a proven executive leader, with a strong track record. She is joining Caterpillar as a member of our executive office. I'm confident Cheryl's contributions will be significant as we work to profitably grow our company," Umpleby said.

For the last five years, Johnson has been a member of Textron's executive leadership team, leading the company's worldwide human resources function as well as corporate communications, corporate real estate, community affairs and the company's aviation department. Johnson's 20-year career with Textron has included a number of human resources roles with increasing levels of responsibility within several of its businesses. Prior to Textron, Johnson's career encompassed multi-functional experience in human resources, marketing and sales, and finance within several industries and diverse business models, including Sundstrand Corporation, IBM and the Rockford, Illinois, Public Schools.

Johnson is a board member of the HR Policy Association and is Chairperson of its Jobipedia Steering Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Operations Management and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.