Deere & Company announces changes to senior management team

Sep 05, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Deere & Company announced on September 4, 2007 the appointment of two new senior officers as well as new assignments for other members of the senior management team, including the creation of a position to leverage several key disciplines across the four divisions of the company. "As has been Deere's practice for generations, we continue to strengthen, deepen and broaden leaders at all levels of the Company, including the senior management team," said Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer. "These changes will expand the experience of these individual leaders and enhance our ability to achieve high levels of sustained performance by distinctively serving John Deere customers." Joining the senior management team will be James M. Field, who will become president, worldwide commercial & consumer equipment division, and Markwart von Pentz, who will become president, agricultural division, Europe, Africa and South America and global harvesting equipment sourcing. Von Pentz replaces H. J. Markley, who is being named to a new position of executive vice president with responsibility across the entire Deere enterprise for worldwide parts services; global supply management and logistics; enterprise information technology; and corporate communications. "In the face of significant competitive challenges, it is essential that Deere focuses senior leadership on these four specific areas that serve the entire enterprise," said Mr. Lane. "In this new role, H. J. Markley will help ensure that Deere's remarkable power of aligned high performance teamwork is maximized across the enterprise." Von Pentz has been serving as senior vice president, marketing and product support for Europe, Africa and Middle East. He has held a number of positions in marketing leadership for John Deere both in Europe and North America. Mr. Field replaces Nathan J. Jones, who has elected to retire after 28 years' service to John Deere, including two years as president of the worldwide commercial & consumer equipment division and seven years as chief financial officer. "While we respect Nate's personal decision to retire, his insights, perspectives and exceptional business acumen will be missed," said Mr. Lane. "He has earned the respect of peers and fellow employees as he relentlessly helped the company build and grow a better business." Mr. Field has been serving as vice president and comptroller of Deere & Company. He has held a number of leadership positions for Deere in the area of financial management. Deere also said that John J. Dalhoff will become vice president and comptroller to replace Mr. Field. Dalhoff has most recently served as director of finance, worldwide construction & forestry division. Additional changes in leadership include the assignment of advanced technology and innovation and intelligent mobile equipment technologies to Samuel R. Allen, who is president, worldwide construction & forestry division and John Deere power systems; and the assignment of corporate human resources and industrial relations to David C. Everitt, who is president, agricultural division, North America, Australia and Asia and global tractor & implement sourcing. John Deere is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.