Caterpillar CEO Tells Obama: Get Serious About Job Creation

By Margo D. Beller, CNBC

It may have a been a rollercoaster week for the U.S. stock market, but to the CEO of Caterpillar it's "steady as she goes and the wind is blowing fairly well at our backs." Doug Oberhelman told CNBC Friday he's optimistic based on the heavy machinery company's day-to-day sales, and discussions with customers and distributors around the world.

Oberhelman is still worried about the macro economy. With 80 percent to 90 percent of Caterpillar's machinery exported, Oberhelman said if President Barack Obama is serious about job creation, he should start with getting free-trade agreements signed with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.