As electrical systems verification and validation project team lead in the Innovation and Technology Development Division at Caterpillar Inc., Xavier Nicholes Horton is responsible for shepherding new technology and work tools in Caterpillar’s embedded systems development and validation space, which is deployed in all of the company’s construction and mining equipment. He leads his team in managing relationships with third-party vendors, providing first-line support for testing tools, and delivering test automation tools for utilization throughout his business unit.
Horton founded the Central Illinois National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Jr. chapter and cofounded the Central Illinois Professional NSBE chapter, which he currently serves as president. Through his efforts coaching and mentoring students from 5th through 12th grade, these chapters now compete locally and nationally in a range of engineering competitions. As an NSBE Jr. advisor, Horton is responsible for recruiting new members, procuring funding and developing programming to meet students’ needs.
Active in the community, Horton enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with middle and high school students through speaking opportunities at area schools, the Tri-County Urban League and through partnerships with numerous STEM-focused organizations. Similarly, through the Caterpillar African American Network, he shares his experience and knowledge with interns, leveraging his internal and external contacts to facilitate connections. He is also president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Epsilon Rho Sigma, and serves as the assistant youth ministry director at St. Paul Baptist Church.
Horton has received a string of awards for his dedication and volunteer efforts, including the 2018 Golden Torch Award for Pre-College Initiative Director of the Year awarded by NSBE, NSBE Region IV Alumni Member of the Year, NSBE Region IV Chapter of the Year, NSBE Region IV Pre-College Initiative Program of the Year, Sigma Gamma Rho Image Award and the Tri-County Urban League Very Important Partner Award. He is an Engineering Rotational Development Program graduate, certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Black Belt. He is a proud husband to his wife, Latoya, and loving father to daughters Kennedy and Zoë. iBi
