THE new vice president of John Deere's worldwide forestry division has said it is an "honour" to take on the role. 

Mary Pat Tubb replaces stalwart Timo Ylänen in the key position, who is standing down after 30 years of "dedicated service" ahead of his retirement next month. 

Having spent more than 25 years with the firm, Mary Pat will be responsible for the overall management and performance of Deere & Company’s global forestry business.

She will report to Ryan D. Campbell, president, Worldwide Construction & Forestry and Power Systems. Prior to this appointment, Mary Pat has been working as a general manager of John Deere Davenport Works in Davenport, Iowa. 

“It is an honour for me to be joining the forestry team," Mary Pat said. “The passionate commitment and expertise of this team are the right ingredients for the ongoing advancement and growth of the forestry business.”

Mary Pat holds a bachelor’s degree in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Engineering in Professional Practice from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Duke University.

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Elsewhere, Jari Mennala is appointed managing director for John Deere Forestry in Finland. Jari holds a master’s degree in industrial management from Tampere University of Technology and an Executive MBA from Aalto University in Helsinki.