After 40 years at H.O. Penn Machinery, John F. Murphy, known across the company and the Caterpillar dealer marketing network simply as "Murph," has retired as business development and marketing manager, effective June 15, 2026.

His career traces the arc of a company veteran who built credibility first in credit, then in operations, and finally as one of the most recognizable marketing leaders in the Cat dealer community.

Murphy began with H.O. Penn in 1986 as a forklift credit representative at the company's former Armonk, N.Y., location. He later served as corporate credit manager until 2005, moved into the role of business operations senior analyst, and in 2015 was promoted to marketing and business development manager. In that position, he helped guide major campaigns, customer events, sales-support initiatives and the everyday structure needed to move marketing from ideas into execution.

At H.O. Penn, Murphy's imprint can be seen in the company's open houses, operator challenges, ConExpo participation, 100-year celebrations, machine sales support and many promotional efforts tied to the Cat brand. He was known for bringing clarity to complicated projects, energy to long event days and an instinct for keeping people connected — whether they were customers, colleagues, Cat partners or fellow dealer marketers.

Jeff Mitchell, H.O. Penn's president, knew Murphy throughout his entire career.

"I worked with John for the past 39 years and he always gave 100 percent in every role he held," he said. "I knew that he always had the company's best interest at heart — a truly dedicated employee. We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life."

Mike Hattar, H.O. Penn's director of marketing and Murphy's manager, said Murphy's "energy, enthusiasm and genuine interest in people always stood out." Hattar also pointed to the qualities that defined Murphy's leadership: "discipline, resilience, leadership, and fairness." Looking back on decades of shared work, Hattar described Murphy as "a force of nature" whose consistency and 4:40 a.m. gym routine said a great deal about how he approached work and life.

Murphy's influence extended well beyond H.O. Penn. Dean Swartz of Milton CAT called him "a leader, if not the leader" of the Northeast Dealer Marketing Group. Swartz said Murphy was the person who set dates, built agendas and facilitated the discussion, but that his real gift was drawing newer members into the conversation. By asking questions and valuing their opinions, Swartz said, Murphy helped them become active contributors to the broader Cat marketing community.

Cindy Snow of Foley Inc. captured that same network-wide view, describing Murphy as "the best conference buddy" and "the most fearless NE Marketing group leader." Those words echoed a common theme in the notes shared by colleagues: Murphy was not simply present at dealer meetings and conferences; he made them better by pulling people together and making the room feel smaller. Lauren Stanley, also of Foley Inc., said, "John has always been enthusiastic, intelligent, incredibly knowledgeable, encouraging and completely reliable. And that's just on the work side. We wish him many years of happiness in his next chapter."

For many inside H.O. Penn, Murphy also served as a mentor. Deserie Carrezola said that during the 10 years she worked for him, Murphy taught her about "leadership, professionalism and how to build a meaningful career." She credited his guidance and support with helping shape her own path, and said his support, encouragement and sense of humor made even difficult days better.

Cole Bacon, a friend and colleague reflecting on their years traveling the country for marketing conferences, offered a lighter but equally telling perspective. Bacon said the thing Murphy will miss most in retirement is "the people," before adding, with the kind of humor Murphy would appreciate, "Oh, and the marketing conferences, so two things." He also remembered years of friendships, dealer events and shared adventures, including a zip line ride in Las Vegas and the long-running "Weekend at Bernie's" memories that followed the group from city to city.

The tributes describe a professional who combined knowledge with personality: a straight shooter, a trusted voice, a meeting facilitator, a marketer, a mentor and a friend. His career helped strengthen H.O. Penn's marketing process and its connection to the larger Cat dealer network, but his legacy is just as clearly measured in the people who learned from him and enjoyed working beside him.

Murphy now begins the next chapter with his wife, Jan, with plans for more family time, travel, cruises and the adventures long talked about but often postponed by a full calendar. H.O. Penn sends him into retirement with deep appreciation for a career built Cat strong — and for a legacy of leadership, laughter and connection that will continue well after his final day in the office.