Retirements and Changes in Cat Executive Branch

PEORIA- Caterpillar announced some major changes within its corporate branch Thursday. Group Presidents Rich Lavin and Gerard Vittecoq have elected to retire, according to a company news release. Lavin is responsible for Construction Industries and Growth Markets. Vittecoq is responsible for Energy and Power Systems.The company also announced the Board of Directors appointed current Group President and CFO Ed Rapp as Lavin's replacement.As part of the transition, the Hong Kong based headquarters for Caterpillar's Construction Industries group will relocate to Singapore where Rapp will be based in his new role effective January 1st.  Brad Halverson, Vice President for Finance Services Division, will be Rapp's replacement as Group President and CFO while Jim Umpleby has been appointed to replace Vittecoq as group president for Energy and Power Systems.