James W. Owens

James W. Owens is an American economist and manufacturing executive. He is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. He held the positions from 1 February 2004 through 2010.

Biography

Early life

Owens, a native of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, graduated from North Carolina State University, in 1973 with a Ph.D. in economics.

Career

After joining the company in 1972 as a corporate economist, he has held numerous management positions.

Owens was named chief economist of Caterpillar Overseas S.A. in Geneva, Switzerland in 1975. From 1980 until 1987 he held managerial positions in Peoria in the Accounting and Product Source Planning Departments. In 1987 he became managing director of P.T. Natra Raya, Caterpillar's joint venture in Indonesia. He held that position until 1990, when he was elected a corporate vice president and named president of Solar Turbines Incorporated, a Caterpillar subsidiary in San Diego. In 1993 he came to Peoria as vice president and chief financial officer with administrative responsibility for the Corporate Services Division.

James W. Owens (congressman)

James W. Owens (October 24, 1837 – March 30, 1900) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Born in Franklin County, Indiana, Owens pursued academic studies. He was graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in 1862. During the Civil War enlisted in the Union Army as a private in the 20th Ohio Infantry, for three months' service. Reenlisted and was made first lieutenant of Company A, 86th Ohio Infantry, and on the reorganization of that regiment was made captain of Company K. He attended the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1864 and 1865. He was admitted to the bar in 1865 and commenced practice in Newark, Ohio.

He married Martha Kumler of Oxford, Ohio in 1867.

Owens was elected prosecuting attorney of Licking County in 1867 and reelected in 1869. He owned the Evans-Holton-Owens House in Newark from 1868 to 1870. Owens was elected to the State senate in 1875. He was reelected in 1877, and served as president of that body. He served as member of the board of trustees of Miami University 1878-1896.