JOHN DEERE LANDSCAPES TAPS
JIM WELLER AS ARIZONA AREA MANAGER
August 2004

Jim Weller is the new John Deere Landscapes area manager for Arizona and will oversee branch operations, sales, customer service and expansion activities throughout the state, reported Brian Day, regional vice president for the wholesale distributor.

John Deere Landscapes currently has four branches in Arizona: Apache Junction, Avondale (opening fall 2004), Phoenix and Surprise. Weller will be based in Apache Junction.

With more than 250 locations nationwide, John Deere Landscapes is the industry’s leading distributor of irrigation, lighting, landscape and nursery products for professional contractors.

Arizona branches also offer direct sales of nursery stock (trees, palms, shrubs, bedding plants and ground covers), in addition to landscape rock, pavers, tools and a range of landscape supplies, including sod, fertilizer, soil amendments, herbicides, pesticides and more.

“Jim’s experience in the landscape industry will be a valuable asset as John Deere Landscapes opens new branches throughout the Southwest,” said Day. “Our commitment to growth in this area is in direct response to contractor requests that we open more regional branches - so they will have easier access to John Deere Landscapes products and professional services, such as John Deere Credit programs and direct sales,” said Day.

Prior to joining John Deere Landscapes, Weller worked at Horizon, an irrigation distributor, for 17 years in executive management positions, including operations, sales and purchasing. He has also worked with the University of California at Davis in turfgrass and pesticide research.

Weller is a member of the Arizona Landscape Contractors Association and a graduate of San Jose State University in San Jose, CA.

John Deere Landscapes has branches in 39 states and Canada and is a division of Deere & Company, headquartered in Moline, Illinois. For more information about John Deere Landscapes, call 800-347-4272 or visit the Web site at www.JohnDeereLandscapes.com.