Jan 08, 2015. /Lesprom Network/. Deere & Company announced that former U.S. Senator Michael O. Johanns has been elected to its Board of Directors effective January 8, 2015. Johanns recently completed his term in the Senate after deciding not to run for re-election. He has also previously served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and as governor of Nebraska.

"Mike's wide range of expertise in the areas of agriculture, banking, commerce, foreign trade, law and governance will be valuable assets for the Deere & Company Board of Directors," said Samuel R. Allen, Deere's chairman and CEO.

Johanns was governor of Nebraska from 1999 until 2005. He was appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 2005 and served in that capacity until 2007. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008 and announced in 2013 that he would not run for re-election.

With Senator Johanns' election, Deere & Company's Board totals 12 members, 11 of whom are independent directors.