July 1, 2002

John Deere Landscapes Announces
New Senior Staff Appointments

Major staff appointments have been announced at John Deere Landscapes, the nation's leading distributor of landscape and irrigation products.

"We have assembled a very talented team to direct John Deere Landscapes operations nationwide. They are all industry veterans with years of experience in the landscape and irrigation business," said David P. Werning, president, John Deere Landscapes.

The new appointments include:
Frank Bates, Senior Vice President, Operations; Jeff Lanahan, Senior Vice President, Supply Management and Information Technologies; and Mark Nattinger, Senior Vice President, Sales.

Thomas Childers has also been named Marketing Director and will head up promotional activities for the company.

"Our management team will have a strong national focus as we bring new territories into our network and add new suppliers to our product mix," said Werning.

"Additionally, we will be actively promoting John Deere Landscapes, services for professional contractors, including the John Deere Credit program, which offers landscape financing plans for homeowners," he said.

"We are also expanding our direct sales division so that contractors in any area of the country can order quantity shipments of nursery stock," said Werning.

John Deere Landscapes has more than 220 locations in 37 states and Canada. The company represents the industry’s major suppliers, including Rain Bird, Hunter Industries, Irritrol, Hunter Golf, Vista Professional Outdoor LIghting, Berkeley and SyncroFlo pumps and other leaders.

John Deere Landscapes is a subsidiary of Deere & Company, based in Moline, Illinois. For more information about John Deere Landscapes, call 800-347-4272 or visit the website at www.JohnDeereLandscapes.com.