Longtime Cummins executive Carter set to retire

Pamela Carter, the president of Cummins Inc.’s distribution business unit, plans to retire April 1, the company announced Monday.

Carter, the first woman ever to lead one of Cummins’ four main business units, has been in the position since 2007. Unit sales have risen from $1.5 billion to an expected $5 billion in 2014 under her leadership.

Carter, 64, was trailblazer in Indiana politics before joining Cummins in 1997. She was the first African-American woman ever elected as state attorney general in the United States, filling that role in Indiana from 1993 to 1997.

The 1984 Indiana University School of Law graduate was deputy chief of staff to former Gov. Evan Bayh from 1988 to 1992 and spent time in private practice at Baker & Daniels in Indianapolis before running for state office.

Carter joined Cummins as vice president-general counsel and corporate secretary. She held several key positions with Cummins Fleetguard before leading Cummins Filtration from 2005 to 2007.

"Pamela is a uniquely talented individual, who joined us as a skilled lawyer and very quickly mastered the business side, becoming one of our top business leaders," Cummins CEO Tom Linebarger said in a written statement. "She is a leader in every sense of the word who helped grow our business across the globe, strengthened our communities and made those around her better. She will truly be missed."

Cummins said Carter was instrumental in helping the company expand its operations in Africa. She also saw oversaw one of the largest acquisitions in Cummins history.

"Carter's impact, however, has gone well beyond outstanding business results," the company said in a written statement. "She was also a champion for under-represented demographic groups at the company, including women, Africans and African-Americans and all people of color. She also worked tirelessly to recruit and hire veterans."

Cummins said it will announce Carter's successor later this week.