Tom Linebarger
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| Tom Linebarger | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tom Linebarger |
| Birth date | 1963 |
| Birth place | Everson, Washington, United States |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | Chief Executive Officer of Cummins Inc. |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy at West Point, Princeton University, Harvard Business School |
| Employer | Cummins |
Tom Linebarger Thomas J. Linebarger is an American business executive best known for leading Cummins as Chief Executive Officer during a period of strategic transformation. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Harvard Business School, he combined military service with corporate experience at Cummins and in the wider manufacturing and transportation sectors. Linebarger has been active on multiple corporate and non‑profit boards and has engaged in public policy discussions related to energy and trade.
Early life and education
Linebarger was born in Everson, Washington, and is the son of Robert Linebarger, linking him geographically to the Pacific Northwest and culturally to families engaged with manufacturing and industry. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he received a commission and later served on active duty in the United States Army. After military service he pursued graduate studies at Princeton University and subsequently earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, connecting him to alumni networks that include leaders from General Electric, Ford Motor Company, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and DuPont.
Career
Linebarger began his professional career in military service with postings that connected him to United States Army operations and logistics, giving him exposure to defense procurement and heavy equipment logistics related to suppliers such as Caterpillar and John Deere. He transitioned to the private sector with roles that brought him into contact with Cummins operations, strategic planning, and corporate development. Throughout his career he engaged with executives from General Motors, Daimler, Volvo Group, PACCAR, and Toyota on supply chain and powertrain matters, and he cultivated relationships across the energy and transportation ecosystems.
His corporate ascent included positions in strategy, sales, and operational leadership, interacting with markets influenced by policy decisions from bodies like the United States Department of Commerce, Environmental Protection Agency, and international institutions such as the European Commission and the World Trade Organization. Linebarger’s experience encompassed product development cycles, manufacturing scale-up, and global distribution networks linked to hubs in China, India, Germany, and Brazil.
Leadership at Cummins
As Chief Executive Officer of Cummins, Linebarger led the company through initiatives involving internal combustion engines, emissions controls, and diversification into alternative powertrains including electrification, hydrogen fuel cells, and hybrid systems. Under his tenure, Cummins negotiated partnerships and supply agreements with original equipment manufacturers such as Navistar, Kenworth, Mack Trucks, and global fleets including those operated by UPS, FedEx, and municipal transit agencies in New York City and Los Angeles. He oversaw capital allocation decisions, mergers and acquisitions, and investments in research and development teams working alongside universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Linebarger engaged with regulatory and standards organizations including the California Air Resources Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on emissions, fuel economy, and alternative fuel infrastructure. His leadership spanned responses to macroeconomic pressures from events such as the 2008 financial crisis, shifts in U.S.-China relations, and supply chain disruptions tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized digital transformation initiatives connecting Cummins to software firms and platforms linked to Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Siemens for predictive maintenance and fleet telematics.
Board memberships and affiliations
Linebarger has served on several corporate and non‑profit boards and advisory panels, collaborating with leaders from 3M, Procter & Gamble, ExxonMobil, and PepsiCo in governance roles. He has participated in policy and industry groups such as the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, and trade delegations with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His affiliations extended to academic and research institutions, connecting with affiliates of Harvard University, Princeton University, and the University of Michigan automotive research community. Linebarger also interacted with global finance organizations and investors including representatives from BlackRock, Vanguard, and Goldman Sachs in discussions on capital strategy and environmental, social, and governance matters.
Personal life and philanthropy
Linebarger’s personal profile includes engagement in philanthropic and community initiatives tied to veterans’ affairs and STEM education, partnering with organizations such as United Way, Boy Scouts of America, and veterans groups like the Wounded Warrior Project. He supported workforce development programs aligned with job training centers and technical colleges in regions where Cummins operates, including partnerships with the Indiana University system and community colleges. Linebarger’s public commentary and philanthropic interests have intersected with discussions on climate policy, infrastructure investment, and workforce reskilling involving entities such as the Brookings Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, and Aspen Institute.