Johnson to replace Rapp as president of Caterpillar’s Resource Industries group

Updated Jan 18, 2016
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The Caterpillar board of directors has elected Denise Johnson as the next group president for Resource Industries.

Johnson will replace Ed Rapp who last month announced his plans to retire due to a recent diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Johnson currently serves as vice president of Cat’s Material Handling & Underground Division. She joined the company in 2011 following a 22-year career with General Motors.

“Denise leads one of the largest and most complex businesses in the company; her division makes products primarily for the mining, waste and construction industries and employs about 8,000 people in 14 locations spanning four continents,” said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman.

“She has successfully managed costs during the mining downturn and been deeply involved in restructuring within Resource Industries, all while gaining market position for multiple products in her portfolio. Denise has accomplished these business results while also delivering outstanding safety and quality metrics.”

Johnson started as the general manager of Specialty Products at Cat before being elected VP of the Diversified Products division with responsibility for industries including forestry, paving and on-highway trucks. In 2013, Johnson became VP of Integrated Manufacturing Operations and was named to her current role in 2014.

Johnson received a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Michigan State and has master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.