Deere & Company (DE) announced that its Board of Directors elected John Stone, 50, to the position of President, Worldwide Construction & Forestry and Power Systems. He will be given the responsibility for managing the overall performance of the company's construction and forestry operations throughout the world and for the continued success of the Wirtgen organization. He will also be taking care of the engine, drivetrain, and electronic-component businesses.
Stone joined the company in 2002. Since then, he has managed the company's global utility tractor product line and headed corporate strategy. In 2016, he was given the post of Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group. While serving in the same role, he led the company's highly successful efforts to develop precision technologies that are bringing value and productivity to customers.
He was instrumental in the opening of John Deere Labs, which was a San Francisco-based research unit. It focused on breakthrough technologies such as machine learning and robotics. Under his leadership, Deere Group acquired Blue River Technology, a company that develops computer vision and machine learning capabilities for agriculture in 2017.
"John's record of success and proven leadership skills make him highly qualified for this critical role," said John C. May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "His firm grasp of the vital importance of technology will be of great benefit as he assumes leadership of our construction equipment operations."
