Oshkosh Corporation, a leading innovator of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, has announced that after more than 15 years of service, Wilson R. Jones will be retiring as CEO and as a member of the board, effective April 2, 2021.
Per the company’s succession plan, John C. Pfeifer, the company’s president and chief operating officer, has been named Jones’ successor and will serve as president and CEO, also effective April 2, 2021.
Oshkosh is the parent company of JLG, a major global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms and telescopic handlers.
“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of this great company for the last five years,” said Jones. “I am proud of the achievements we have made in our culture, products and services and know they would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our 15,000 dedicated and talented team members around the world.”
Jones added that, “Oshkosh is well positioned for the future, and I believe it is the right time to welcome John Pfeifer as our next CEO. Having worked closely with John since he joined us in 2019, I have seen his commitment to our People First culture. Under his leadership, the Company will continue to drive innovation, serve our customers and advance our business around the world. I look forward to supporting John and the team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.”
Stephen D. Newlin, independent chairman of the board, said, “Wilson has led our company through numerous milestones, achieving significant growth and delivering value to our shareholders. He instituted our People First culture - empowering team members, inspiring collaboration, and prioritizing personal and professional development across the organization.” On behalf of the board, management team, and entire Oshkosh organization, Newlin thanked Jones for strong leadership.
Commenting on Pfeifer, Newlin said, “John is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our business and culture, and we are pleased to name him the next CEO of Oshkosh. Since joining Oshkosh last year, John has been instrumental in advancing the company’s key strategic initiatives and effectively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic while prioritizing the health and safety of our teams and communities.”
Newlin added that Pfeifer’s 25 years of management experience and a strong track record of executing and delivering sales and earnings growth gives the board confidence that he is the right person to drive sustainable value creation.
Said Pfeifer, “I am honored to lead this outstanding team. We have tremendous talent, a commitment to innovation, and strong values that enable us to deliver essential products and services that build, serve, and protect people and communities around the world.” Pfeifer thanked current CEO Jones for his guidance and support, and thanked the board for placing its trust in him (Pfeifer).
John Pfeifer joined Oshkosh in May 2019 and has been responsible for overseeing the company’s Access Equipment, Fire & Emergency, and Commercial segments.
Upon his additional appointment as president in May 2020, Pfeifer also assumed responsibility for the company’s Defense segment and the global supply chain, digital technology, and marketing functions.
Before joining Oshkosh, Pfeifer led Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation and a world leader in marine propulsion systems.
Prior to Brunswick, Pfeifer held various global business management positions with ITT Corporation in the automotive and electronic components segments.
Pfeifer earned both a bachelor's degree in economics and a bachelor's degree in Japanese language from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
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