David C. Everitt was appointed as a Director of the Company in September 2010 and has served as Independent Lead Director since October 22, 2018. Mr. Everitt also served as Non-Executive Chairman of the Company from August 1, 2014 to October 22, 2018 and as Interim President & CEO of the Company from February 28, 2014 to July 30, 2014.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Everitt served as the former Co-Leader of the Agriculture and Turf division of Deere & Company (the world’s largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment and a major U.S. producer of construction, forestry, and lawn and grounds care equipment), the company’s largest operating group. Mr. Everitt served as President – North America, Asia, Australia, Sub-Saharan and South Africa and Global Tractor and Turf Products from 2009 until his retirement from Deere & Company in September 2012. Prior to that, he had served as President, Agricultural Division – North America, Australia, Asia and Global Tractor and Implement Sourcing since January 2006.
Mr. Everitt is a member of the Board of Directors of Allison Transmission, where he serves on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Finance Committee, and Brunswick Corporation, where he serves on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and as the Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Mr. Everitt previously served on the Board of Directors of Agrium, Inc. until its merger with Potash Corporation, as well as Nutrien Ltd., the successor to such merger, retiring in August 2020. In March 2021, Mr. Everitt joined the Board of Directors of Corteva, Inc., where he serves on the Governance and Compliance Committee and Sustainability, Safety and Innovation Committee.