NAM elects Cat’s CEO to board of directors

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) elected Douglas R. Oberhelman, CEO of Caterpillar Inc., has been elected vice chair of the National Assocation of Manufacturers board of directors, to a two-year term as vice chair of its board of directors.

He will begin his term on Jan. 1, 2011. Oberhelman succeeds Mary Andringa of Vermeer Corp.

“Doug knows what it takes to keep U.S. manufacturers globally competitive,” said NAM President and CEO John Engler in a written statement. “His leadership and experience will be a great asset to our member companies as they face unprecedented challenges. Doug is a highly engaged board member of the NAM’s Executive Committee and our Manufacturing Institute on a broad range of issues from exports to infrastructure to skills training. He will be a powerful partner for incoming Chair Mary Andringa as they work together to advance a comprehensive manufacturing strategy for jobs and a competitive America.”

Oberhelman says he is “honored to serve America’s manufacturers as the [country] face[s] the toughest global competition in the nation’s history.

“With the right policies and legislation in place, America can continue to be a leader in the global marketplace,” he adds. “I look forward to working with manufacturers nationwide as well as policymakers in Washington to advance initiatives to make the United States the best country in the world to manufacture both to meet the needs of the American market and serve as an export platform to the world.”

Oberhelman joined Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar in 1975 in the corporate treasury department and has held a variety of positions for the company in the United States, South America and Japan. During his 35 years at Caterpillar, he has been a strong advocate for policies that promote America’s global competitiveness.

He is currently a director on the boards of Caterpillar Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, The World Resources Institute (WRI), The Wetlands America Trust and The Nature Conservancy – Illinois Chapter.