Cummins named Rob Neitzke executive director of the company’s on-highway North American original equipment manufacturer business.

Neitzke was formerly the head of the Cummins Westport joint venture, which designs, builds and sells natural gas engines. He ran the venture from 2015 through 2017, leading the launch of a line of low-emissions engines.

He will be succeeding Jeff Caldwell, who is being tasked with ensuring the successful launch of new North American products, according to Cummins.

“Rob brings more than two decades of engineering and leadership experience at Cummins, and a track record of success in everything he’s done,” said Brett Merritt, executive director of the company’s on highway business. “I know he’ll bring the same successful approach and focus to this critically important segment of our on-highway business.”

Prior to the joint venture, Neitzke, an electrical engineer with a master’s in business administration, led the Cummins Engine business for the construction market. Neitzke also developed a group country strategy for Cummins’ operations in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. He was later asked to develop a similar strategy for company operations in Africa.