Deere announces engine, equipment management changes

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Dec, 2004

Deere & Co. has announced a series of personnel changes following the announcement that Senior Vice President James D. White will retire in early 2005. White is responsible for John Deere Power Systems including Deere's engine operations as well as the Funk Mfg. powertrain subsidiary. White was senior vice president, marketing and sales, for Deere's Worldwide Construction Equipment Division until May 2000 when he moved to Deere Power Systems.

Also, Jean Gilles has been appointed senior vice president, John Deere Power Systems, replacing White and reporting to Samuel R. Allen, group president responsible for Power Systems. Gilles joined Deere in 1979 and most recently was senior vice president manufacturing and engineering for Deere's Global Harvesting Equipment operations. Max A. Guinn, formerly senior vice president, engineering and manufacturing, for the Deere's Worldwide Construction and Forestry Division becomes senior vice president, manufacturing and engineering--Global Harvesting Equipment, replacing Gilles. Barry Schaffter becomes senior vice president, engineering and manufacturing, Worldwide Construction & Forestry Division replacing Guinn. Schaffter was general manager of Deere's Waterloo (Iowa) Works. Replacing Schaffter as GM of the Waterloo Works is Patrick E. Pinkston, formerly general manager, John Deere Seeding Group.