Wilson Leads Worldwide Business Development

Brian Wilson ’98, is being recognized as a Significant Sig in 2026 for his stellar corporate career at Cummins, Inc, where his strategic vision, approachable leadership style, and ability to empower teams has led to the development of innovative power solutions that drive a future of zero-emissions.

Brian Wilson ’98

Early Recognition

After graduating from Purdue with an engineering degree, Brian’s career started as a Strategic Planner at American Trans Air, where he advanced quickly to a Senior Operations Analyst/Senior Strategic Planner role, while simultaneously obtaining his MBA from the Indiana University. Brian then moved to Interbrand where he was recognized numerous times with the Interbrand Best Work award for complex analysis on a variety of projects including one of the largest telecom mergers in US history.

Career at Cummins, Inc.

In 2008, Brian was recruited to lead a newly formed corporate strategy team at Cummins, Inc., which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of engines and power generation products. In this role, Brian advised Cummins executives on business and market strategies and growth programs.

Brian was promoted to Chief of Staff to the executive overseeing Cummins’ largest business segment in 2012. This role led to Brian taking ownership of an $80M business segment in the small Construction and Industrial Markets globally where he oversaw a team working on four product introductions in a little over one calendar year and within three years improved profitability from -5% gross margin to +18% gross margin.

Between 2015 and early 2016, Brian expanded his role to include Sales and Marketing for all Off Highway in Europe, Global Agriculture Segment and helped inform corporate executives on potential acquisitions and partnerships. Brian’s work involved helping lead roughly $400M in annual sales and revenue for Cummins and increasing sales headcount efficiency by 10%, decision making streamlining and an estimated sales increase of 15% over time.

In 2017, Brian was tasked with leading the Global Bus Segment, which delivers $1B in annual revenue, and through Brian’s efforts Cummins’ market share doubled even with market headwinds domestically and internationally.

Brian’s track record of success and efficiency led Cummins to entrust him to lead the Electrified Components Business, an internal start-up and largest strategic investment outside of diesel engines in Cummins’ over 100-year history. Brian’s efforts to help lead design, development and ultimately delivery of all electronic mobility components to customers globally is a foundational shift for Cummins.

Roles Continue to Grow

Brian’s role expanded in 2024 into a combined eMobility business, which involves leadership of an 850+ person team with four plants in North America, Europe and China. Brian’s achievements of improving overall profitability; the successful launch of a new COMVEC battery for the bus market resulting in $50M in revenue in the first year; improved time to deliver by 15% and average cost by nearly 10%; and helping to secure a $75M US Dept. of Energy grant for a diesel plant conversion. Additionally, Brian led a significant industry accomplishment from idea through execution, creating a 4-way joint venture to design, develop and manufacture battery cells with PACCAR, Daimler Truck and EVE Energy, which resulted in Brian being named Vice President and General Manager – eMobility in 2025.

Brian’s Personal Reflections

“I am genuinely humbled—and honestly still a bit stunned—to have been nominated, let alone selected, as a Significant Sigma Chi. I can still picture myself as a young man walking the halls of the Sig house, passing the photos of those who had come before us. I remember pausing, looking up at those faces, and thinking about the lives they must have lived — the impact they had made, the standard they represented. Never, even in my wildest thoughts, did I imagine that one day I might be counted among them.

To now have the privilege of joining that group alongside three of my pledge brothers is something I can hardly put into words. It’s more than an honor; it’s deeply personal. It represents not just an individual achievement, but a shared journey, a brotherhood, and a lifetime of influence.

When I reflect on how I arrived at this moment, I can’t point to a single defining event. Instead, I see a mosaic of experiences—small moments, quiet lessons, setbacks, and victories—all shaped by the people who invested in me along the way. This recognition belongs as much to them as it does to me.

Growing up as the youngest of four brothers — including a twin — I learned early on that I wasn’t the center of the world. I learned to listen before speaking, to observe before acting, and to appreciate the strengths in others. My older brothers showed me what was possible—both through their successes and their failures. My twin taught me patience, compromise, and the importance of putting someone else first. There were countless moments of sacrifice—going where I didn’t always want to go, doing what I didn’t always want to do—but those moments quietly shaped my perspective. They taught me that everyone has something to offer, and that if you take the time to truly listen, you can learn something from anyone.

The Wilson family (L-R): Mary Beth, Kathryn, Ashlie and Brian

That mindset—of listening, learning, and valuing others—has guided me throughout my life and career. If I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish anything meaningful, it’s because of the people around me and the lessons they’ve shared.”

A Purdue, Sigma Chi Family

At the center of Brian’s life is his family. Brian’s wife, Mary Beth, is a Theta from Purdue whose father is a Delta Delta Sig from the class of 1968. Their two daughters both attend Purdue. For Brian and Mary Beth these bonds and traditions run deep. Together, they’ve built a life grounded in love, support, and shared experiences.

One of the great joys of Brian’s life has been watching Mary Beth and their daughters pursue their passions. He notes, “I’m not sure there are many people who can say that their wife and both daughters have all played—or are playing—tennis for the Purdue women’s team. Mary Beth graduated in 1998, Ashlie in 2026, and Kathryn will follow in 2028.”

Community Involvement

Brian is presently on the Board of Directors for the Columbus, IN Parks and Recreation and Columbus, IN Foundation for Youth. He has also served on the USTA Central Indiana Board of Directors.  Brian has coached basketball at Columbus North and Greenwood Community High School, an activity that he hopes at some point he can take up again.