Meet Oshkosh Corp Leaders Founders and Executives

Oshkosh Corporation has been at the forefront of manufacturing vehicles, machinery, fire apparatus, and large-scale equipment since 1917. The company has worked with many federal departments and agencies to protect communities in the United States and across the globe.

Here is a rundown of Oshkosh Corp. leaders, founders, and executives.

About Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation Logo

Oshkosh Corporation focuses on these business segments:

• Access equipment – This segment manufactures supplies for aerial platforms and telehandlers in construction, agriculture, general maintenance, and institutional applications. Clients of this segment include construction contractors, home improvement centers, manufacturing companies, and equipment rental companies.
• Defense – Oshkosh Defense, an Oshkosh Corp. subsidiary and brand, designs vehicles to fulfill heavy-duty tasks such as hauling tanks, carrying missile systems and ammunition, and delivering fuel, cargo, and troops for a wide range of missions. Its main clients are the US Department of Defense (DoD) and partner foreign military divisions.
• Fire and emergency – Pierce Manufacturing, another Oshkosh subsidiary, is the prime manufacturer of various fire apparatuses. This segment designs and produces fire equipment that caters to every need of firefighters. Pierce also builds custom vehicles suitable for the DoD, airports, universities, waste management companies, large-scale industries, and homeland security agencies.
• Commercial – Oshkosh McNeilus and Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. (IMT) are the leaders of its retail segment. McNeilus designs and produces concrete mixers and refuse vehicles, while IMT manufactures mechanical trucks, lube trucks and skids, tire service equipment, and cranes (telescopic and material handling types).

Who is the founder of Oshkosh Corporation?

Oshkosh Corporation was founded as Wisconsin Duplex Auto Company in 1917 by William Besserdich and Bernhard Mosling. The two inventors innovated a patent for a four-wheel-drive system–the same patent was used to create “Old Betsy,” a prototype that is the progenitor of Oshkosh’s current vehicle models.

Where is Oshkosh Corporation’s headquarters?

Oshkosh Corporation’s headquarters is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Oshkosh has 130 facilities operating in 24 countries and manages approximately 15,000 employees worldwide.

What are Oshkosh Corporation’s subsidiaries?

Oshkosh Corporation manages 12 subsidiaries. The corporation also manufactures and distributes products under these brands.

The current companies operating under Oshkosh Corporation are:

• Oshkosh Defense
• Pierce
• McNeilus
• Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. (IMT)
• JLG Industries, Inc.
• Oshkosh S-series
• Jerr-Dan
• Hinowa
• Frontline
• Pratt Miller
• MAXIMETAL
• Oshkosh Airport Products

Is Oshkosh Corporation a Fortune 500 Company?

Yes, Oshkosh Corporation is a Fortune 500 company. Oshkosh ranked 9th overall in the Fortune 500 list in 2019 and ranks third among the 640 companies deemed by Fortune as the “World’s Most Admired Companies” in 202

Oshkosh Corporation’s Executives and Leaders

Behind Oshkosh are a team of executives ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and signing and securing contracts with multiple industries. Take a look at the executives and leaders of Oshkosh Corporation.

John C. Pfeifer, President, and Chief Executive Officer

John C. Pfeifer joined Oshkosh Corporation in 2019 and started as an Executive Vice President and the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Pfeifer assumed the role of President in April 2021 and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in May 2021. He took on the roles of managing Oshkosh’s defense segment, marketing functions, digital technology, and supply chain operations.

Pfeifer brings over 25 years of experience in leadership and global management to Oshkosh. He draws from his experience in his previous executive roles at ITT Industries, Brunswick Corporation, and Mercury Marine.

Besides being CEO and President, John C. Pfeifer is also on the Board of Directors of Oshkosh Corporation, The Manitowoc Company, the National Exchange Bank and Trust, and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).

Ignacio A. Cortina, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Ignacio A. Cortina has been the Executive Vice President (EVP), General Counsel, and Secretary of Oshkosh Corporation since 2016. His current responsibilities are managing Oshkosh’s legal, ethical, compliance, sustainability, and environmental matters.

A lawyer by profession, Cortina worked as Senior General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Counsel at Oshkosh’s Access Division before his current role as EVP, General Counsel, and Secretary. He also worked as Litigation and Corporate Counsel at JLG Industries, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation that manufactures access equipment.

Overall, Cortina has over 20 years of experience working for Oshkosh Corporation–including its subsidiaries.

Jayanthi Iyengar, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Strategic Sourcing Officer

Jayanthi “Jay” Iyengar joined Oshkosh Corporation in January 2022 and currently holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Strategic Sourcing Officer.

Iyengar manages Oshkosh’s strategies and visions that propel investment, growth, and distribution of the company’s cutting-edge technology. She is also responsible for sourcing activities enabling supply chain capabilities to deliver Oshkosh’s upcoming technology.

Iyengar draws from her previous experience working at multiple technology companies to fulfill her current role at Oshkosh. Previously, Iyengar worked as Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation & Technology Officer at Xylem, Inc., and  Chief Technology and Quality Officer at CNH Industrial.

James W. Johnson, Executive Vice President and President, Vocational and Fire & Emergency Segment

James “Jim” W. Johnson has been part of Oshkosh Corporation since 2007. Johnson’s first executive role was as Pierce Manufacturing’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He assumed the roles of EVP and President of the Fire & Emergency Segment of Oshkosh in 2010 and as President of the Vocational segment in 2023.

In his current position, Johnson manages MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh Airport Products, Frontline Communications, McNeilus refuse vehicles and Oshkosh S-Series front discharge mixers.

Bradley M. Nelson, Executive Vice President of Strategic Programs

Bradley M. Nelson became part of Oshkosh Corporation’s executive team in 2013. He was appointed EVP for Strategic Programs in February 2023. His current role entails planning and deploying strategic programs for Oshkosh’s growth.

Nelson has held his EVP position since 2013, although he began his EVP stint at Oshkosh’s Commercial segment. In his previous role, Nelson was in charge of manufacturing and distributing McNeilus, Oshkosh S-Series, IMT, and London Machinery products. He previously worked as Vice President of Global Marketing at JLG Industries from 2011 to 2013.

Frank R. Nerenhausen, Executive Vice President and President, Access

Frank R. Nerenhausen has been part of Oshkosh Corporation since 1986. He held various functional roles before becoming part of Oshkosh’s executive team in 2001. Nerenhausen’s previous leadership position was Vice President of Sales and Marketing of McNeilus’ Commercial segment, a position he held until 2010.

He served as EVP and President of Oshkosh’s Commercial segment until 2012 before becoming EVP and President of Oshkosh’s Access Segment. In his current role, Nerenhausen leads the daily operations of JLG Industries and Jerr-Dan Corporation.

Michael E. Pack, Executive Vice President and President and Chief Financial Officer

Michael E. Pack has been Oshkosh Corporation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2020. He manages the company’s financial policies and other financial functions, such as accounting, treasury, insurance, and investor relations.

Pack draws from his work experience holding various financial positions at Oshkosh’s Access, Fire & Emergency, and Corporate Finance segments to fulfill his current responsibilities. He also worked as a senior audit manager at Grant Thornton LLP.

Jason P. Baab, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy

Jason P. Baab joined Oshkosh Corporation in 2017 as Vice President of Corporate Business Development. He became the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Corporate Development and Strategy of Oshkosh in 2021 and is responsible for developing and implementing a broad range of strategies that propel sustainable business growth. Baab also manages portfolio strategies, venture capital investments, and merger and acquisition execution.

Tim Bleck, Senior Vice President and President, Defense

As the current Senior Vice President of Defense, Tim Bleck oversees all aspects of Oshkosh’s defense segment, especially the operations under Oshkosh Defense and Pratt Miller.

Bleck has been part of Oshkosh’s executive team since 2006. Before transitioning to his current position, he served as the Vice President of Defense Finance from May 2006 to November 2022. He also held the controller position at Oshkosh’s Commercial segment from 2006 to 2010.

Bryan K. Brandt, Senior Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer

Brandt became Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in September 2018 and is currently in charge of Oshkosh’s global branding and communications, enterprise simplification, and community relations teams.

Bryan K. Brandt has been an executive at Oshkosh Corporation since 2016. His first leadership role was Vice President of Global Communications from 2016 to 2018. Other than his current role, he also serves as the executive sponsor of the Oshkosh Women’s Network.

Chris Freeders, Senior Vice President, Finance and Controller

Chris Freeders is the current Senior Vice President of the Finance and Controller division of Oshkosh Corporation. A Certified Public Accountant by profession, Freeders has used his career to ensure accurate financial statements, effective internal control, financial planning and analysis, and Oshkosh’s compliance with international tax laws.

Freeders joined Oshkosh in 2005. Some positions he took include Senior Director of Financial Reporting, Vice President, and Assistant Controller.

Thomas P. Hawkins, Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Thomas “Tom” Hawkins has been Senior Vice President of Government Relations since 2018. Hawkins possesses nearly 30 years of experience in public service in the military and legislative and executive branches of the government. His expertise covers defense, homeland security, foreign policy, intelligence, and counterterrorism.

Anupam Khare, Senior Vice President, and Chief Information Officer

Anupam Khare has been the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Oshkosh Corporation since 2018. Khare is responsible for the digital technology efforts that drive company growth and innovation.

Khare also uses his competence in digital technology to lead Oshkosh’s intelligent enterprise agenda, which involves data science, digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence practice, cybersecurity, and technology-shared services.

Emma M. McTague, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Emma M. McTague is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Oshkosh Corporation. McTague may have assumed her position recently in 2022, but she has been in Oshkosh since June 2015. She first worked as Vice President of Global Human Resources for the Access segment, particularly at JLG Industries.

As the Chief Human Resources Officer, McTague is responsible for leading Oshkosh’s global human resources strategies, managing talent development, driving employee engagement, and promoting employee inclusivity and well-being.

John S. Verich, Senior Vice President and Treasurer

John S. Verich possesses over 20 years of experience working for Oshkosh’s defense segment. He joined the company in 2000 and held positions dealing with increasing responsibility in corporate treasury and business development in the Defense Fire & Emergency segments.

As Oshkosh’s SVP and Treasurer, Verich manages the company’s global treasury operations, including credit and collection, risk management, banking and cash management, customer finance programs, and international sales support.

(Above Executive Photos from Oshkosh Corporation Official Website)

Oshkosh Corporation’s Board of Directors

Besides the executive and leadership team, Oshkosh Corporation has a Board of Directors that ensures the company runs like a well-oiled machine. Listed below are Oshkosh’s current board members:

• Stephen D. Newlin, Chairman of the Board
• Keith J. Allman
• Douglas L. Davis
• Tyrone M. Jordan
• Kimberly Metcalf-Kupres
• Duncan J. Palmer
• David G. Perkins
• Sandra E. Rowland
• John S. Shiely

Building, Protecting and Serving Communities Across the Globe

Oshkosh Corporation has been a global leader in designing and manufacturing mobility systems for the military, defense agencies, and other industries for 100 years. Oshkosh commits to designing and building ground-breaking products that promote growth and security worldwide and empower today’s modern heroes.