October 22, 2026 - Irving-based equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. has picked Derrick York, president of its Solar Turbines business, to lead its Resource Industries mining group starting Nov. 1.

York, also a senior vice president at Caterpillar, will succeed Denise Johnson as group president of Resource Industries. Johnson, who joined Caterpillar in 2011, is retiring, the company said. She will take on an advisory role to help with the leadership change.

Derrick York and Denise Johnson

From turbines to drills

York will oversee a business that makes machinery for the mining, heavy construction, quarry and aggregates sectors. The business operates a factory in Denison, a little over 40 miles north of McKinney, that makes mining drills.

In fiscal year 2025, Resource Industries generated nearly $12.5 billion in sales.

Since 2023, York has led Solar Turbines, a wholly owned subsidiary that provides gas turbines and compressors to oil, gas and power generation companies. In his 16 years at Caterpillar, York also has been senior vice president of the oil, gas and marine division, and has held leadership roles in finance and corporate development.

“Derrick is a highly respected leader who understands our customers, our strategy and the industries we serve,” Joe Creed, Caterpillar’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “He is well positioned to lead the team into its next chapter of innovation, growth and customer success.”

Digging out of a downturn

Johnson started running the Resource Industries business in 2016 during a downturn in the mining industry. Caterpillar said she strengthened the business’s operations and portfolio to fuel growth. The mining segment recently delivered its strongest financial performance in more than a decade, the company said. 

Creed praised Johnson for taking the reins “during one of the mining industry’s most challenging times” and lauded her “disciplined leadership.”

“We are deeply grateful for all she has done to strengthen our relationships with customers, develop our people and shape the future of our company,” Creed said. “Her impact and influence will be remembered long after her retirement.”

Growing via acquisitions

The business currently led by Johnson has made two big acquisitions this year.

In July, Caterpillar acquired Skycatch, a San Francisco company that uses drones to produce AI-powered geospatial data for mining sites. Earlier this year, Caterpillar bought RPMGlobal Holdings, an Australian mining software company.

Caterpillar relocated its headquarters from Illinois to Irving in 2022. In its 2025 fiscal year, Caterpillar generated sales and revenue of $67.6 billion.