Jim Umpleby
Jim Umpleby
Personal Information
Highland, Indiana, United States
Education & Background
Career Highlights
Wealth
D. James "Jim" Umpleby III (born 1958) is an American business executive who served as chairman and chief executive officer of Caterpillar Inc. from 2017 to 2025, leading the world's largest construction and mining equipment manufacturer to record financial performance.[1]
Under Umpleby's leadership, Caterpillar achieved record-setting annual revenue of $67.1 billion in 2023 with a 19.3% operating margin.[2]
In May 2025, he transitioned to executive chairman.[3]
Early life and education
Jim Umpleby was born in 1958 and raised in Highland, Indiana. He was the first person in his family to attend college.[4]
He attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, serving as student body president, and graduated in 1980 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.[5]
Career
Solar Turbines (1980-2013)
After graduating in 1980, Umpleby joined Solar Turbines Incorporated in San Diego. From 1984 to 1990, he served in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.[6]
In 2010, he became president of Solar Turbines.[7]
Caterpillar CEO (2017-2025)
On January 1, 2017, Umpleby became Caterpillar's CEO, succeeding Doug Oberhelman.[8]
His "operating excellence" strategy delivered extraordinary results: revenue grew from $38.5 billion (2016) to $67.1 billion (2023), adjusted EPS increased more than sixfold.[9]
Controversies
Workplace safety
Three workers died at Caterpillar's Mapleton, Illinois foundry since December 2021. On June 2, 2022, Steven Dierkes fell into molten iron nine days after starting employment.[10]
OSHA cited Caterpillar for willful safety violations and fined the company $145,027.[11]
His 2023 compensation of approximately $34.52 million drew criticism given safety concerns.[12]
Personal life
Umpleby maintains strict privacy about his personal life. He resides in the greater Peoria, Illinois area.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ <ref>"Caterpillar Names Umpleby CEO".{Template:Newspaper.October 31, 2016.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Caterpillar 2023 Results".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Umpleby Becomes Executive Chairman".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Umpleby Profile".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Rose-Hulman Distinguished Alumni".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Umpleby Career".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Solar Turbines Leadership".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Umpleby Takes Caterpillar Helm".{Template:Newspaper.January 3, 2017.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Caterpillar Strategy Success".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"OSHA Caterpillar Citation".{Template:Newspaper.November 9, 2022.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Caterpillar Safety Fine".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Caterpillar CEO Pay".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Umpleby Personal Life".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>