Cat Reorganizes Power, Rail Leadership

Caterpillar has made several changes to the leadership of its power and rail segments.

Billy Ainsworth, currently senior vice president of the Caterpillar Rail Division and CEO of Progress Rail, will  become the group president of the Energy & Transportation segment. Since 2017, Ainsworth has served as strategic advisor to the Caterpillar Executive Office in addition to his responsibilities for the Rail Division.

Ainsworth started his career with a national scrap metal brokerage firm and held several positions with companies in that industry. In 1983, he founded Steel Processing Services, serving as its president and CEO. In 1993, Florida Progress purchased the operations of Steel Processing Services, along with two affiliated companies, and retained Ainsworth as president and CEO. In 2006, Caterpillar Inc. acquired Progress Rail Services, and Ainsworth was named a vice president of Caterpillar.

Caterpillar also said it is separating the current Global Power Systems Divisions into two new industry focused divisions: Oil, Gas and Marine Division and Electric Power Division.

Tom Pellette, who served as group president of the Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation segments, will now serve as president of Solar Turbines, the wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar. He previously spent more than 20 years in the division. Pellette will also serve as strategic advisor to the Caterpillar Executive Office.

Joe Creed, currently vice president of Caterpillar’s Finance Services Division, will become the new vice president of the Oil, Gas and Marine Division. He most recently served as interim chief financial officer for the company. Prior to his time in Caterpillar’s finance operations, Creed worked in the company’s engine and machine businesses.

Pablo Koziner, a vice president of Caterpillar and currently president of Solar Turbines, will become the new vice president of the Electric Power Division. He has nearly 20 years of experience in various roles around the world, the last six as a vice president.

Marty Haycraft has been named to succeed Ainsworth as vice president of Caterpillar’s Rail Division and CEO of Progress Rail. Haycraft is currently the president of Progress Rail’s global operations where his primary responsibilities include overseeing the company’s rolling stock and infrastructure businesses.

Haycraft began his professional career in 1990 with Wheel Corp. of America, where he worked as a production employee and gained experience on freight car wheel set production and freight car wheel set materials. He joined Progress Rail in 1993 when Corbin Railway Services purchased Steel Processing Services, later to become Progress Rail. He held several management positions in operations, materials, and sales and marketing.

Kyle Epley has been named vice president of Finance Services Division. Epley currently serves as corporate controller where he has responsibility for business analysis, competitive analysis, economics, strategic planning and operating & execution model governance. Epley joined Caterpillar in 1996 and has held a series of positions in accounting and finance, including global assignments.