Deere & Company appoints a new Board of Directors

Deere & Company has appointed PACCAR CEO Preston Feight to its board, bringing expertise in technology and strategy to support Deere’s growth. Deere’s board now has 12 members, 11 of whom are independent.

Illinois, United States- Deere & Company., a manufactures agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, forestry machinery, diesel engines, drivetrains used in heavy equipment and lawn care equipment, has appointed Mr. R. Preston Feight to its board of directors. Feight is currently the chief executive officer of PACCAR Inc a Fortune 500 company known for its global leadership in designing, manufacturing, and supporting high-quality light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF brands.

Under Feight's leadership, PACCAR has excelled in engineering, manufacturing, and financial services, emphasizing advancements in diesel, electric, and hydrogen powertrains, along with driver assistance systems and truck connectivity.

Mr. John C. May, Deere’s chairman and CEO, said, “We’re pleased to welcome Preston to the Deere board—an accomplished leader whose experience as CEO of another innovative industrial company aligns perfectly with our own transformation journey. His leadership at PACCAR, which has a strong history of collaboration with Deere, along with his extensive business strategy and technology background, will be invaluable as we advance our Smart Industrial Operating Model.” 

During his 26-year tenure at PACCAR, Feight held key roles, including director of product planning, general manager of Kenworth, and president of DAF Trucks. Appointed PACCAR’s executive vice president in 2018, he became CEO in 2019. Previously, he worked in engineering at AlliedSignal and Ford.

Feight holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Arizona University and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Colorado. He is also a licensed professional engineer and a commercial truck driver.

With his appointment, Deere’s board now has 12 members, 11 of whom are independent.