Samuel Allen

Sam Allen is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deere &a; Company, a position he's held since February 2010. Allen was named President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2009. He was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the company and a member of the Deere &a; Company Board of Directors in June 2009. Previously, he served as President, Worldwide Construction &a; Forestry Division and was responsible for the global operations of John Deere Power Systems. He was also responsible for Deere's intelligent mobile equipment technologies and for Deere's advanced technology and engineering. He has served as a senior officer of the company since 2001, with additional responsibilities in human resources, industrial relations, and John Deere Credit's global operations. Since joining John Deere in 1975, Allen had worked in positions of increasing responsibility in the Consumer Products Division, Worldwide Construction &a; Forestry Division, John Deere Power Systems, and the Worldwide Agricultural Division including managing operations in Latin America, China &a; East Asia, and Australia. In addition, Allen also serves as Chairman of the Council on Competitiveness as of January 2010. He was appointed to Whirlpool Corporation's board of directors in June 2010. He is a 1975 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in industrial management. He is a native of Sumter, South Carolina.