Dean's Advisory Council

Rich Freeland
(Retired) President & Chief Operating Officer
Cummins

Rich Freeland retired as the President and Chief Operating Officer for Cummins Inc., a Fortune 160 Company that is the largest independent manufacturer of engines and related components in the world with operations in over 190 countries and territories and 46,000 employees. In his role as President and Chief Operating Officer, Freeland oversaw all daily operations to ensure Cummins meets financial, customer and operating commitments.

Freeland started his career at Cummins in 1979 as a foreman at the Cummins Parts Distribution Center in Columbus, Indiana. Over the years, Rich took on a number of key roles at the Company including Plant Manager of the Diesel ReCon Plant in Memphis, Tennessee; Plant Manager of the Columbus Engine Plant in Columbus, Indiana; Vice President and General Manager of Engine Business Purchasing, Aftermarket and Fuel Systems Business and President of both the Cummins Distribution Business and Components Business. Most recently Freeland served as President of the Engine Business overseeing the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales.

A native of Indiana, Freeland attended Purdue University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from the School of Management. In 1987, he earned an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Freeland serves on the boards of directors for the National Association of Manufacturers, American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), Purdue University’s School of Management, and the Bartholomew County United Way.  Freeland serves as a board director for Valvoline and also serves as a board director on the Cummins Inc. Board. Freeland and his wife have two daughters and reside in Columbus, Indiana, the home of Cummins’ global headquarters.