19.11.2020

New CEO for Oshkosh

JLG's parent company Oshkosh has announced that its chief executive Wilson Jones will retire in April and be replaced by chief operating officer John Pfeifer.

Jones joined Oshkosh in 2005 as general manager of the airport products business and then its fire and emergency group, before becoming president of Pierce Manufacturing. He took over as president of JLG in 2010 and then chief operating officer of Oshkosh in 2012 (see: New president for JLG), before moving up to chief executive in 2015.
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Wilson Jones

Pfeifer joined Oshkosh from Mercury Marine in May 2019 (see: New COO for Oshkosh) and has been responsible for overseeing the group’s access equipment, fire & emergency and commercial divisions. In May he was appointed president and took on the added responsibility for the defence business, global supply chain, digital technology and marketing functions.
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John Pfeifer

Jones said: “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of this great company for the last five years. 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. 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.”

Chairman Stephen Newlin added: “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 prioritising personal and professional development across the organisation. On behalf of the board, management team and entire Oshkosh organisation, I thank Wilson for his strong leadership and contributions to the company.”

“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 prioritising the health and safety of our teams and communities. With more than 25 years of management experience and a strong track record of executing and delivering sales and earnings growth, the board is confident that John is the right person to drive sustainable value creation.”

Pfeifer said: “I am honoured 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. I would like to thank Wilson for his guidance and support, and the Board for placing its trust in me. While we continue to navigate in an unprecedented environment, we have a strong foundation, and I am excited to build on our momentum as we continue to position Oshkosh for the future.”