Category: Private Citizen — Corporate Director Role: Presiding Director and Independent Director, Caterpillar Inc. Board Tenure: 2015 – present Committee Memberships: Nominating & Governance Committee (Chair); Executive Committee (Chair); Presiding Director Profile Type: Board Member Accountability — Anchor B (Documented Organizational Leadership)

Basis for Inclusion: Debra L. Reed-Klages holds a documented governance role at Caterpillar Inc., including the senior independent leadership role of Presiding Director. Caterpillar Inc. is a major industrial manufacturer that made documented political donations to Trump-aligned entities. Caterpillar has significant government defense contract relationships (military vehicles) and is substantially affected by federal infrastructure spending, trade policy, and export controls. This profile documents the factual governance relationship, not the subject’s personal political views.

Subject Classification: Private Citizen / Corporate Director. Board membership is a matter of public record (SEC filings, proxy statements). This profile documents only the governance role and its connection to documented corporate political activity.

What is NOT the basis for inclusion: Debra L. Reed-Klages’s personal political opinions, party affiliation, public statements, or any protected speech are NOT the basis for inclusion.

Biographical Overview

Debra L. Reed-Klages served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sempra Energy (now Sempra), one of North America’s largest energy infrastructure companies, before retiring after a 40-year career at the company. She rose through Sempra’s utility subsidiaries and held roles spanning operations, finance, and executive leadership before becoming CEO. Reed-Klages joined the Caterpillar Board of Directors in 2015 and has become its most senior independent governance figure, serving as Presiding Director, Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee, and Chair of the Executive Committee. Her decade-long presence on the board and chairmanship of multiple key committees makes her the most influential independent voice in Caterpillar’s governance structure. She brings deep expertise in regulated energy infrastructure, large-scale capital projects, and board governance best practices.

Board Role and Governance Authority

• Company: Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT)
• Board tenure: 2015 – present
• Committee assignments: Nominating & Governance Committee (Chair); Executive Committee (Chair); Presiding Director
• Prior employer: Sempra Energy — Chairman & CEO (retired after 40-year career)
• Significance: Longest-serving independent director with most senior board leadership roles

Parent Corporate Donor Profile

This profile is a governance-accountability companion to the Caterpillar corporate donor profile.

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Investigative trail pointers (public records)

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Sources

• Caterpillar Inc. DEF 14A Proxy Statement, 2025; SEC EDGAR