Cummins Inc.’s leadership team will have a new look in the fall when its second-ranking leader retires.
The Columbus-based diesel engine and power systems maker announced Wednesday that President and Chief Operating Officer Rich Freeland will retire after 40 years of service with Cummins, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Freeland’s retirement will take effect Oct. 15.
“He is one of the most effective leaders in Cummins history because of his ability to connect with customers, develop our employees, and his deep understanding of nearly every element of our business,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Linebarger said of Freeland.
As part of Cummins’ successions plans, four leadership appointments will take effect the same day as Freeland’s retirement. They are:
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Tony Satterthwaite, the Distribution Business president, will succeed Freeland as president and COO.
Tracy Embree, the Components Business president, will succeed Satterthwaite as Distribution Business president.
Jennifer Rumsey, the chief technical officer, will succeed Embree as Components Business president.
Jim Fier, an engineering leader and Cummins employee for more than 30 years, will succeed Rumsey as Chief Technical Officer.
“They are all incredibly talented leaders who have demonstrated their ability to lead people, drive results and make Cummins a stronger company, and a better place to work,” Linebarger said. “I am excited for each of them and looking forward to working with them as we drive our company forward focusing on our growth plans and continuing to deliver value to our customers and all our stakeholders.”
‘Positive impact vast’
Freeland, 62, joined Cummins in 1979 the day after his graduation from Purdue University, starting as the second-shift foreman in the Parts Distribution Center in Columbus.
After serving as plant manager of the Diesel ReCon Plant in Memphis, Tennessee, he became plant manager of the Columbus Engine Plant — also known as Plant 1.
Freeland recalled in a 2017 interview with The Republic that former Cummins Chairman J. Irwin Miller shared advice with him when he took over as the Plant 1 manager — advice that has stuck with him throughout his career.
“I want you to remember the wisdom of the workforce. This wisdom of knowing (how to make the engines) resides in (the union president) and those workers, so don’t ever lose respect for the workers,” Freeland said of Miller’s message.
Freeland led three of Cummins’ five business segments during his career: Distribution, Components and Engine. He’s also been responsible for all of Cummins’ global operations as chief operating officer, a position he’s held since 2014.
Linebarger said he’s been impressed that Freeland’s success has been achieved in an unassuming, humble manner.
“He has an unrelenting commitment to our core values and always makes the right decisions for our business, for our people and our communities. His positive impact is vast, and Rich will be missed by many, many people inside and outside of Cummins,” Linebarger said.
Freeland will also resign from the company’s board of directors on Oct. 15.
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Rich Freeland
Title: Cummins Inc. president and chief operating officer
Age: 62
Resides: Columbus
Education:
- Earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial management from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management
- Earned a master of business administration degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business
Professional background:
- Joined Cummins in 1979 at the Cummins Parts Distribution Center
- Plant manager of the Diesel ReCon Plant in Memphis, Tennessee
- Plant manager of the Columbus Engine Plant
- President of the Distribution Business
- President of the Components Business
- President of the Engine Business
- President and chief operating officer since 2014
- Board of directors Cummins Inc. since July
- Board of directors of Valvoline Inc.
- Advisory board member for Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management
Community involvement:
- Past board member of Otter Creek Golf Course
- Past board member of the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
Family: Wife, Tammy; daughters, Lauren and Jill
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Here’s a brief look at those appointed to new leadership positions that will take effect when Cummins President and Chief Operating Officer Rich Freeland retires Oct. 15:
Tony Satterthwaite
Will succeed Freeland as president and COO. Currently president of the Distribution Business, which employs about 16,000 people worldwide.
Joined Cummins in 1988. Prior to his current position, led Cummins Power Generation from 2008 to 2015.
Satterthwaite, 58, has lived for extensive periods in Asia, Europe and the U.S., and has visited nearly every one of Cummins’ locations throughout his long career.
Tracy Embree
Will succeed Sattherthwaite as Distribution Business president. She has been the Components Business president for five years.
Embree, 46, has held leadership roles in different areas of the business, including several critical customer-facing roles.
Jennifer Rumsey
Will succeed Embree as Components Business president. Rumsey, the chief technical officer, has served in technical leadership roles since she joined Cummins in 2000.
Rumsey, 45, has held roles in engineering leadership, new product program leadership, controls, after-treatment technology, advanced engineering and quality.
Jim Fier
Will succeed Rumsey as chief technical officer. Fier, 55, has been with Cummins for more than 30 years and is considered a highly accomplished, technically skilled and experienced engineering leader.
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