- Samuel R. Allen to become Chief Executive Officer effective 1 August 2009. MOLINE, Ill., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Deere & Company today announced that its board of directors has elected Samuel R. Allen, 55, president, chief operating officer, and a member of the board of directors effective 1 June, and chief executive officer effective 1 August. Robert W. Lane, 59, chairman and CEO, will serve as chairman of the board until Allen's expected succession as chairman. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030326/JOHNDEERELOGO) "The Deere Board has completed an 18-month systematic process to choose Deere's ninth chief executive officer in its 172-year history," Lane said. "The board recognizes, as I do, that Sam is a superb, smart, ethical executive, a wise and uncommonly capable leader, and someone with the proven experience and ability to effectively lead John Deere in growing a great, sustainable, global business." A 34-year veteran of John Deere, Allen has been president of the Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division since 2005 and has been responsible for the global operations of the Deere Power Systems Group since 2003. Allen has served since 2001 as a senior officer of the company with early senior leadership responsibilities in human resources and industrial relations and the oversight of John Deere Credit's global operations. In addition, Allen has been responsible for Deere's intelligent mobile equipment technologies and for Deere's advanced technology and innovation since 2007. Previously in his career, he worked in positions of increasing responsibility in the Consumer Products Division, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division, Deere Power Systems Group, and the Worldwide Agricultural Division, including managing operations in Latin America, East Asia, and Australia. "I am honored to have been selected by the board of directors to follow in the footsteps of previous chief executives who have led Deere with great distinction," Allen said. "We have significant challenges but exciting global opportunities. I look forward to working with all of the uncommonly-committed employees of John Deere to distinctively serve our global customers in ways that are highly rewarding to our shareholders." Other senior executive moves include: -- Michael J. Mack, Jr., who has served as senior vice president and chief financial officer since 2006, to the position of president, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division; -- James M. Field, who until recently served as president of the Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Division and before that as vice president and comptroller of Deere & Company, to the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer; and -- Jean Gilles, who has served as senior vice president of Deere Power Systems Group, to the senior officer position of senior vice president, Deere Power Systems Group, Deere Intelligent Mobile Equipment Technologies, and Advanced Technology and Innovation. John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, 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. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030326/JOHNDEERELOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Deere & Company CONTACT: Ken Golden, Director, Strategic Public Relations of Deere & Company, +1-309-765-5678 Web Site: http://www.deere.com/

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