Deere announces changes to senior leadership team

MOLINE, Ill., Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ -- Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) today announced changes to its senior leadership team that will take place after the retirement of James A. Israel, president of John Deere Financial - the company's global financial services division headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. 

These changes are effective October 23:

• James A. Israel, president, John Deere Financial, has elected to retire after 35 years of service.
• Michael J. Mack, Jr. is appointed group president, John Deere Financial Services, Global Human Resources and Public Affairs.
• Max A. Guinn is appointed president, Worldwide Construction & Forestry, Global Labor Relations and Security.

Israel joined Deere in 1979, has held a number of management positions, and was appointed president of the financial services business in 2006. With his guidance, the size of the company's credit portfolio nearly doubled to approximately $40 billion and the number of countries in which financing services are offered increased from 17 to 45.

"Over the course of his career, Jim Israel has shown a keen business intellect, dedication and commitment to employees, and a passion for excellent customer service and business leadership," said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer.

Mack is currently president of Deere's Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, a position he has held since 2009. He previously served as Deere & Company's treasurer and chief financial officer.

Guinn is currently senior vice president of human resources, communications, public affairs and labor relations. He previously held a variety of leadership roles in both of Deere's major equipment divisions.

Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land, providing advanced products and services to cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, shelter and infrastructure.

SOURCE Deere & Company

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