AgriMarketing.com
MCCORMICK TRACTOR NAMES NEW CEO
Apr. 14, 2008
Source: McCormick Tractor news release
Equipment industry veteran, Rodney Miller, has been appointed the new CEO of McCormick International USA, Inc., Norcross, GA, a division of ARGO Tractors and part of ARGO S.p.A., a holding company owned by the Morra family in Italy.
Miller joined McCormick in June 2007 as vice president of sales and marketing for new products.
"The United States represents a very important market for our company," says Simeone Morra President of McCormick International USA. "Through 2007 and 2008 McCormick USA has enjoyed solid growth as we have focused on expanding our already-strong product offering and growing our dealer network. With Rodney's outstanding knowledge of the equipment industry and the U.S. Ag and rural marketplace, I am very confident he will set a direction for the company that will build on this momentum."
Miller is embracing his new role and expanded responsibilities with his trademark energy and passion. "I grew up on a Farmall tractor - a brand that evolved from the McCormick name - so I'm excited to lead this company into a new era," he says. "McCormick always has manufactured outstanding products. But success in the equipment business goes beyond the iron. I believe with all my heart that this is a people business. I am 100 percent committed to providing our dealers and customers with a selling and ownership experience that meets and exceeds the high quality level of our products."
Miller was born and raised in the southern Illinois community of Benton, where he still maintains a 1,600-acre row-crop farming operation. His machinery industry roots extend back to his involvement in the family's farm equipment dealership. Through the years, he has held several key sales positions for tractor manufacturers such as Mahindra, Valtra and Long Agribusiness.
Prior to joining McCormick, Miller served as CEO of Montana Tractors. He helped launch and guide the fledgling compact and utility tractor company to annual sales of more than $70 million, and build a network of than 300 independent dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The character with which Miller has conducted business and the respect he has extended to all his associates has earned him many fans through the years.
One of those is Ron Grabowski who has made his career in the equipment industry, and has served as a territory manager for McCormick since October 2007. "I've had the pleasure of working with Rodney in several situations over the years," he says. "Rodney has tremendous experience that allows him to look at the business from a variety of perspectives - from the manufacturer to the territory representative to the dealer and to the customer. He has the unique ability to bring the many facets of an organization together to achieve a common goal. I joined McCormick because I have confidence that Rodney's leadership will help this company achieve great things."
"I truly value the faith that folks like Ron and the Morra family have placed in me," Miller says. "I look forward to working with everyone on the McCormick team to expand our customer base and grow our business in the U.S. Ag and rural marketplace."
