As global director of Environmental Affairs, Health and Safety (EHS)—and one of the youngest directors at Caterpillar Inc.—Brian Lewallen is responsible for a team of professionals who provide strategic direction and tactical support to facility operations all over the world. One of the few Peoria-based employees who has global leadership responsibilities, he creates, alters and socializes EHS policies that materially affect the lives of 90,000 employees at more than 450 facilities worldwide. Not only is Lewallen responsible for driving environmental stewardship for the corporation, he is focused on ensuring that every employee goes home from work safely, and manages a group of about 60 employees in the Peoria area.
As a litigator for Caterpillar, Lewallen led an appellate team against the largest product liability verdict in corporate history and successfully vacated the verdict and obtained a new trial. As environmental council, he was responsible for assembling and managing a team to maintain environmental compliance for Asia-Pacific operations. Lewallen participates in the Caterpillar Pro Bono Plan with Prairie State Legal Services, and in 2010, was recognized for his service when the Peoria County Bar Association named Caterpillar the Peoria-Area Pro Bono Firm of the Year.
Lewallen was named a Rising Star by Washington Law & Politics magazine, and was recognized in American Lawyer magazine for his representation and due diligence during the $5.6 billion sale of Miller Brewing Company in 2002. Lewallen received the 2009-2010 Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation from the Washington State Bar Association and is a fellow for the Litigation Counsel of America.
In 2009 and 2010, Lewallen provided about 120 hours of free legal counseling relating to divorces, wills and trusts, federal immigration representation, and environmental remediation and litigation to those with indigent status. He serves as voluntary legal council and architectural control officer for his homeowner’s association and devotes a significant amount of time to his church, St. Vincent de Paul, where he is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which focuses on providing financial assistance to those in need in the Peoria area.
Lewallen is a volunteer instructor with Street Law, a program developed to teach introductory legal skills to area high school students. He volunteers with Habitat for Humanity as a Caterpillar 6 Sigma team member and helped developed housing selection strategies for the organization. He serves as a volunteer coach at the Peoria Christian Center and Peoria Park District and has contributed his time and service to the Boy Scouts of America W.D Boyce Council, Easter Seals and Court Appointed Special Advocates. iBi
