As product service engineer for the Large Track-Type Tractor Product Group at Caterpillar Inc., Crystal Garrett is responsible for the D11 model, accountable for monitoring the overall performance, reliability, durability and serviceability of current and future products. In her previous role as product support analyst, she led Global Mining maintenance and repair contract audits, successfully developing and deploying a component assurance program for the Global Aftermarket Solutions Division. She spent three years in product support as deployment consultant for EMP repair options and as a global MARC (Maintenance and Repair Contract) consultant; prior to that, she led powertrain component test and validation programs, as well as a transmission controls program for the 785 large mining truck.
A native of Fargo, North Dakota, Garrett earned her mechanical engineering degree from North Dakota State University, but has spent the last decade in Peoria, where she has become passionate about the region. She frequently travels around the world to represent Caterpillar and interact with the dealers and customers, championing the company and serving as an ambassador for the Peoria region.
Outside of work, Garrett enjoys tackling big problems and is actively involved with numerous nonprofit boards and committees. Passionate about improving lives through education, she helped found and now co-chairs L.I.F.T. (Learning Independence through Financial Transformation) for GENeration United, a financial literacy education program that aims to break the generational cycle of poverty.
Garrett is a board member for Common Place Family Learning Center, serving on its Finance and Program committees, and for LifeLine Pilots, where she helped implement a new marketing and social media campaign. As an active member of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois’ Emerging Philanthropists Fund, she helps to review and award grants to small, local nonprofits. In addition, she successfully completed GenU’s BoardSERVE program and is a 2017 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. iBi
