Deere & Company recently announced changes to its senior management team in response to the planned retirement of a member of the company’s leadership team later this year.

The following changes are effective November 1:

• Michael J. Mack, Jr. will retire as group president of John Deere Financial Services, Global Human Resources and Public Affairs.
• Marc A. Howze was appointed senior vice president and chief administrative officer.
• Cory J. Reed was appointed president of John Deere Financial.

“As a business leader, Mike Mack acted with conviction and commitment in a manner consistent with John Deere’s core values,” said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and CEO. “His insightful thinking, unpretentious manner, and boundless level of energy have been an inspiration to all of us.”

Mack is retiring after more than 30 years of service. His career included assignments in information systems, finance, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and credit. He worked in four business divisions at Deere and was based in multiple U.S. cities as well as in Europe.

After serving in leadership positions of increasing responsibility, Mack was named vice president and treasurer in 2004, senior vice president and chief financial officer in 2006 and president of Worldwide Construction & Forestry in 2009. He moved to his present position in 2014.

As chief financial officer, Mack’s leadership during the 2008 financial crisis allowed the company to maintain uninterrupted access to the credit markets.

As president of the Worldwide Construction & Forestry division, Mack oversaw expansion of its product line, an update of the manufacturing capabilities and a broadening of its global operations.

Howze is currently vice president of Human Resources. His responsibilities will now expand to include labor relations, public affairs, communications, brand management and security. He joined Deere in 2001 and served in a number of positions in Deere’s legal department, including associate general counsel and corporate secretary. He later held positions in marketing, business development and as a factory manager.

Reed is currently senior vice president in the Worldwide Agriculture & Turf division with responsibility for the Intelligent Solutions group. He joined Deere in 1998 and has held a variety of marketing and sales positions including marketing manager for large tractors and regional sales and marketing for John Deere International in Switzerland. He later became senior vice president, Global Marketing Services for the Worldwide Agriculture & Turf division before assuming his current role.