Dave Gleissner | Metamora, IL

A Senior Account Manager at Caterpillar OEM Solutions, Dave Gleissner was raised as the youngest of five boys in Ashton, Illinois, an environment which he notes, “shaped my competitive spirit and strong work ethic.” He excelled in sports at Ashton High School and wrestled at Harper College for two years before earning a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Illinois. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

As a child, Dave dreamt of becoming a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers but kept the medical or engineering fields as possible back-ups. He jokes, “I once had a doctor tell me that he dropped out of engineering school because it was too tough. So, I decided to be an engineer, knowing that I could always fall back on being a doctor.”

This competitive spirit has taken him far. “Over the past 15 years at Caterpillar, I’ve had the opportunity to work across several roles, including engineer for electric drive components, D10 Config Engineer, D10 Application Specialist and now Senior Account Manager for OEM Solutions. I’ve led numerous projects, earned two U.S. patents, and had the privilege of traveling across five continents—experiences that have shaped both my professional and personal growth.” Isaac Malson of Caterpillar observes that “Dave is known for his strategic thinking, professionalism and ability to inspire. He has rebuilt trust, strengthened relationships and driven business growth—earning admiration from colleagues and customers."

Earning that admiration was not easy. "Having to balance relationships with results and reality is a challenging task that develops critical leadership skills. From these situations, I have learned how to communicate clearly under pressure, to advocate for my customers while maintaining objectivity and the key aspects of negotiation and influence.”

Athletics has remained a passion for Dave and he stays involved by coaching youth sports. “I believe that youth athletics is extremely important for developing skills that can be used for a lifetime. I find it incredibly rewarding to see the progress that children make throughout a season and knowing that I am not developing just an athlete, but a well-rounded individual.”

Gleissner also co-chaired the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk from 2011 to 2017, served Caterpillar as Facility Coordinator for the United Way Appeal, is a board member at Metamora School District and is a fundraising sponsor for the Kares Foundation which raises money to support those impacted by KDM5C genetic variations.

Dave is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, and they have three daughters who “are full of personality:” Makenna (12), Alexa (10) and Erika (7). Together they enjoy soccer tournaments and camping, having camped in 16 states and planning more trips every year. “We also enjoy Sunday football and have a house-divided with the three girls supporting their dad and the Packers and Laura cheering for the Bears.”