As Life Cycle Manager at Caterpillar Inc., Jennifer Twitty Strickland is responsible for the global excavation product (HEX) line aftermarket parts business, maximizing global sales and profitability, and developing product seeding, inventory management, cost reduction and retrofit for HEX New Product Introduction. She leads complex improvement projects across the enterprise and with external dealers, resulting in substantial savings and benefits.
A certified 6 Sigma Black Belt, Strickland is a collaborative leader with strong communication and project management skills and an ability to influence business partners to achieve results. Last year, she was a key driver of the project team that launched the Excavation Division’s first 3D-printed aftermarket part, reducing per-piece costs by 40 percent for the enterprise and customer lead time by 60 percent.
As vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Nu Pi Omega Chapter, Strickland spearheads collaborations with food pantries, clothing drives and the distribution of scholarships to low-income students. Under her leadership, Nu Pi Omega members and others assisted with Crittenton Centers’ Stocking Stuffer Store. She also led a health awareness program, partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to raise money and awareness for these causes.
Strickland is also heavily involved with the local chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. As its current treasurer, she oversees the operating budget to ensure the execution of programs in the Peoria community supporting Neighborhood House and The Salvation Army. As Caterpillar United Way Division Coordinator for the Excavation Division, participation and donations to the Heart of Illinois United Way increased substantially under her leadership. She also serves as co-leader of Girl Scouts Troop 4242, guiding 13 first graders to help them become the smart, successful women leaders of tomorrow.
A member of the Caterpillar African-American Network and Caterpillar’s Women’s Initiative Network, Strickland has participated in various leadership programs at Caterpillar. She received the 2016 Outstanding Business Woman Award from Nu Pi Omega and has actively supported the Peoria Riverfront Museum, Samaritan’s Purse, Society of Women Engineers and St. Paul Baptist Church. iBi
