Tana Utley

Tana Utley is chief technology officer and vice president of the Product Development Center of Excellence at Caterpillar Inc., responsible for the organization’s research and development activities. A Bradley graduate, she originally planned to major in music, but instead followed in her father’s footsteps and became an engineer. Since joining the company in 1986, she has held a variety of positions, serving as director of the Engine Design, Large Engine Products & Fuel Systems Division and leading the Electronic & Electrical Systems business unit in Caterpillar’s Motion and Power Control Division.

Please tell about growing up in Peoria, your family and its roots with Caterpillar.
My family moved to Peoria when I was small because my father took an engineering job at CAT. He participated in the company’s college graduate training program in 1964. Like many program participants, my dad became close friends with a few of his colleagues. He was a loyal CAT employee and has a few patents that we still use today. The kitchen table conversation about CAT was positive, though I didn’t consider working there myself when growing up. I had intended to major in music.

Describe your time at Bradley University. What inspired you to join the engineering field?
During my senior year in high school, I selected WIU because they had a good music program. However, shortly before enrolling I decided to pursue engineering. I selected engineering through a process of elimination. I didn’t care much for laborious reading, couldn’t tolerate blood, and was decent at math and science. Because WIU doesn’t have a four-year engineering program, I completed their two-year pre-engineering program and transferred to Bradley.

I selected Bradley because I needed to be near home for personal reasons. I am grateful they had an engineering program and was pleased with the quality of education. Full professors who were devoted to teaching taught the courses. The professors were committed to the students’ understanding of the material. This commitment remains a hallmark of Bradley’s undergraduate education.

What were your early days at Caterpillar like during the ‘80s-era recession?
I spent the early ‘80s in college. I drove by the Mossville CAT plant daily on my way to Bradley. I witnessed work stoppages and layoffs. Peoria in the early ‘80s was not a pleasant place. Caterpillar was under severe competitive pressure and suffered financial losses. The local economy suffered mightily, and many laid-off employees sought new opportunities. The company didn’t hire many engineers during my college days.

My college internship was in Redondo Beach, California, working for an aerospace company. I began to interview for college graduate positions in late 1985. By this time, Caterpillar had begun hiring engineers again. I interviewed for a position, not expecting to take a job at CAT. However, I found the offer to be competitive with the aerospace offer, with the added benefit of the lower cost of living in central Illinois and the familiar territory. My husband, whom I met at Bradley and is also a mechanical engineer, agreed the cost of living and local ties outweighed the allure of living in sunny, southern California.

I participated in the same college graduate training program in which my dad participated. Like him, I still have friends whom I met in the program. I have a great photo collection in my office of my dad’s 1964 class, my 1986 class and the 2007 class.

I joined Caterpillar at a time of conservative opportunity. The early ‘80s hiring freeze left the company with plenty of work for new engineers. I always felt that I would have more meaningful work and responsibility than if I had joined an automotive or aerospace company. My family background was also helpful, as I had some understanding of the company’s history and culture even as a new employee.

As an engineer, how did you get your start in management?
Engineers are problem solvers, and I am no exception. As I gained technical competence in the field of diesel engines, I became a lead problem solver. My first big challenge came in the early 1990s when we undertook a major initiative to improve head gasket reliability. I had a technical leadership role in solving this problem. I had the opportunity to work with other engineers, manufacturing, field technicians, suppliers and management. While stressful, I enjoyed the opportunity to lead problem-solving teams. Later, I became a lead engineer in an engine group, where I was responsible for ensuring a new engine design was properly validated. These early technical leadership and problem-solving opportunities were formative. Business is full of problems needing solutions and leaders.

My first management positions were leading technical groups. This came after a decade of technical and lead engineer work. I am an advocate of proving your competency in your chosen field before seeking management positions. At one point during those first 10 years, I turned down a promotional opportunity to an area outside engineering because I wanted to finish my current program. Later, I had opportunities to work in cross-functional areas.

Briefly discuss your background and interest in technology.
I am a mechanical engineer by training and enjoy the thermal sciences and engines. I have always considered myself more a student of engineering than an expert in any given field. I like to study the evolution of technology and the impact it has on our lives. I love to work with the talented engineers we have at Caterpillar. Their innovation inspires me to be their advocate and the champion of their ideas. My main interest is in commercializing technology to make our customers more successful. This is why I say I am a conduit between technology and business. Some people are gifted technically. Some are excellent business people. I help the two worlds come together to make Caterpillar and customers become more successful.

What are your chief duties at Caterpillar?
I am the vice president of the Product Development Center of Excellence and the chief technology officer. The division is responsible for Caterpillar’s technical facilities (Technical Center in Mossville, Proving Grounds in Tucson and Peoria, machine and engine labs in Britain, and an upcoming R&D facility in China) and an engineering office in India. At the Product Development Center of Excellence, we are also responsible for Caterpillar’s product development processes and standards, as well as the company’s technology strategy and research activities. Our diverse team of engineers and scientists are engaged in projects ranging from resolving a problem on a current product to researching ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Email this page