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GM Executive Gerald Johnson Joins Caterpillar Board Of Directors

General Motors’ vice president of global manufacturing, Gerald Johnson, has been elected to the board of directors for construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar.

Gerald Johnson

Johnson, who was the recipient of the prestigious Black Engineer of the Year award for 2021, will start his new board role with Caterpillar on March 1st.

“Gerald has extensive manufacturing and technical expertise as well as a broad range of global experiences,” Caterpillar Chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, said in a prepared statement. “He is recognized for his leadership in sustainability and commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. His skills and insight will complement our board, and I look forward to working with him.”

Johnson started his career at GM in a co-op program in 1980 while he attended Kettering University. Johnson eventually became the youngest ever superintendent of the company’s Fisher Body Stamping Plant at the age of 24 and was the first African American to hold the plant manager position at Mansfield Plant Stamping Operations. He was also GM Europe’s first African American executive director of Manufacturing.

“Manufacturing has been Gerald’s passion since he was an 18-year-old co-op student, and he has dedicated his career to continuously improving how we build vehicles and components with the highest level of quality and efficiency,” GM CEO Mary Barra said after Johnson received the Black Engineer of the Year award last month.  “His leadership and steadfast integrity have made General Motors a better company.”

Gerland Johnson joins 11 other members on Caterpillar’s board of directors and will serve on the board’s Public Policy and Governance Committee. He will remain in his role with GM while serving on Caterpillar’s board of directors.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. Nowadays being black is better than being a member of the royal family. Companies can’t get enough of tokenism so minorities are appointed just for their skin color not for qualifications. White privilege anyone?

    Reply
    1. When our company was having some financial difficulties, many of us were putting out resumes. Two of my workers – who just happened to be black – were pounced on virtually instantly. Both men, however, were able to spot the obvious desires of those making the offers: they had quotas to fill. These two – HIGHLY skilled and excellent workers – would never be recognised for their excellence; only for their skin.

      Note: from what I see of people in at least one royal family. I’d hire virtually anyone else before those feckless buffoons.

      Reply
    2. Lol, what a crock, so he not to be rewarded?, what if he did pull himself up?. Until you see Black guys owning (not buying) Nike, the Lakers or literally building a bridge don’t think you “establishment ” fellas got anything to worry about…

      Reply
  2. Time to sell my CAT stock.
    He’s a clown

    Reply

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