Cat names sustainability leader

Caterpillar Inc. announced that Dr. Lou Balmer-Millar will assume responsibility for the chief sustainability officer role in addition to her current responsibility as senior vice president of the Large Power Systems Division within the Energy and Transportation segment. She will report directly to Jim Umpleby, chairman and CEO.

“This move further enhances the advancement of product solutions to support our customers during the energy transition and help them achieve their climate-related objectives by geography, by application and by specific customer need,” said Umpleby.

Balmer-Millar succeeds Julie Lagacy, who was Caterpillar’s first chief sustainability and strategy officer and is retiring February 1, 2023, after nearly 35 years of dedicated service.

The new chief sustainability officer has held several technical and business leadership positions of increased scope and responsibility over her 20-year career with Caterpillar.

Prior to joining the company, she led materials and chemical engineering research efforts at the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Balmer-Millar has a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Bachelor of Science in engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

“Sustainability is an important focus area of our long-term strategy for profitable growth,” said Umpleby. “We remain committed to helping our customers build a better, more sustainable world.”

Balmer-Millar will work with Lagacy to transition to the role in the first quarter of 2023.