Deere & Co. announced that its board of directors has elected John May as a member of the board, effective immediately, and to the position of CEO, effective Nov. 4. May has been Deere’s president and chief operating officer since April. 

“John’s record of success and proven leadership skills make him highly qualified to lead Deere and guide its success in the years ahead,” Samuel Allen, chairman and CEO, said in a news release. “His experience in precision agriculture, information technology, and overseas operations will be instrumental in driving the company’s digitalization journey and extending its success in agricultural and construction equipment.”

Allen will continue as chairman of the board of directors after he steps down from the CEO position. May will be the 10th chief executive in the company’s 182-year history.

May, 50, joined Deere in 1997 and became part of the senior management team in 2012 as president of Agricultural Solutions and chief information officer. Last year, he was named president of the Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, with responsibility for the Americas and Australia, the global harvesting, turf and utility, and crop care platforms, and intelligent-solutions group.

Earlier in his career, May headed the company’s China operations. He was also factory manager at the Dubuque Works, and was vice president of the turf and utility platform.

A native of Maine, May holds a bachelor’s degree in health information management from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine.