Deere & Company has announced John C. May will replace Samuel R. Allen as CEO and will also join the board of directors from 4 November.
Allen will continue as chairman of the board of directors after he steps down from his position.
Allen says: "John's record of success and proven leadership skills make him highly qualified to lead Deere and guide its success in the years ahead. His experience in precision agriculture, information technology, and overseas operations will be instrumental in driving the company's digitalisation journey and extending its success in agricultural and construction equipment."
May has served as Deere's president and chief operating officer since April 2019.
He joined Deere in 1997 and became part of the senior management team in 2012 as president, agricultural solutions and chief information officer. Last year, he was named president, worldwide agriculture & turf division, with responsibility for the Americas and Australia, the global harvesting, turf and utility, and crop care platforms and intelligent-solutions group.
Earlier in his career, May headed the company's China operations, served as factory manager at the Dubuque (Iowa) Works, and was vice president of the turf and utility platform.
