Gerald L. Shaheen is the past chair of the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation. He is former chairman of the Chamber’s Transportation Infrastructure and Logistics Committee and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Chamber Foundation, the Chamber’s public policy think tank.

 

The U.S. Chamber represents more than 3 million businesses in the United States and abroad. Its resources include the National Chamber Litigation Center, a public interest law firm; the Institute for Legal Reform; an aggressive lobbying and political program; the Institute for a Competitive Workforce; and an international presence that includes more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce abroad and the Center for International Private Enterprise.

 

In his Chamber role, Shaheen provides the organization with strategic guidance and carries forward the Chamber’s platform of job creation, fewer lawsuits, free trade and open markets, technological innovation, immigration reform, greater access to affordable health care, and improved education.

 

Shaheen is group president of Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Illinois, where he is responsible for the design, development, and production of Caterpillar’s mining and construction equipment. He also oversees marketing and sales operations in North America, the components business, and research and development.

 

Since joining Caterpillar in 1967, Shaheen has held numerous marketing and management positions both in the United States and Europe. At one time, he was responsible for Caterpillar’s business in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the former Soviet Union. While living overseas, he was active in several international organizations and served on the board of directors of the International Enterprise Foundation of Geneva. He was elected a vice president of Caterpillar with responsibility for engine marketing and administration in 1995 and assumed his current position in 1998.

 

Shaheen received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Bradley University in 1966 and his master’s degree from the same institution in 1968. He currently serves the university as chairman of its board of trustees. He was recognized as Distinguished Alumnus in 1993 and was inducted into the Centurion Society that same year. Shaheen completed the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College in 1988.

 

Shaheen serves on the board of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. He also serves on the board of directors for one of the nation’s largest banks, National City Corporation, where he chairs the Nominating and Board of Director Governance Committee, and for AGCO Corporation, where he chairs the Compensation Committee. In Peoria, Shaheen serves on the Peoria NEXT board of directors and is a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter.