Rich Freeland joined Cummins in 1979, one day after graduating from Purdue, as a foreman at the Cummins Parts Distribution Center in Columbus where he worked managing second shift operations. He soon assumed the role of Industrial Engineer in 1981 at the same location and General Foreman in 1984.  Throughout his career, Rich has held a number of positions including Plant Manager, Vice President of Purchasing, and he has served as President of three of the company’s business segments.
 
Since 2014, Rich has served as Cummins President and Chief Operations Officer, bringing a unique perspective to the position after having led three of the five Cummins business segments.
 
Throughout his nearly 40 years at Cummins, he has seen the company expand globally, growing from to $1.7 billion in sales in 1979 to more than $20 billion in 2017. The increase in sales over this time is significant, but even more significant is the way in which this success was achieved. Throughout this time, and still today, Cummins focuses on a steadfast commitment to its employees and the company’s core values, like integrity and teamwork. It has always been just as or even more important to Cummins leadership to focus on how Cummins did business as it was to focus on what the company did.

Rich also serves on Cummins’ Board of Directors, as well as the boards of Valvoline and the National Association of Manufacturers.