CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief
executive officer, John Deere, Moline, Ill., is the featured
guest Oct. 26 on "Grace Matters," the radio ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Rev. Peter W.
Marty, host and senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Davenport, Iowa, interviewed Lane on subjects ranging from
integrity to legacy.
"My grandparents and my parents were people of great
faith," Lane said. "I was taught fortunately throughout my
life that what you said was what you did." A business with
that principle wins the trust of its customers and attracts
employees who share that value, he said.
John Deere produces equipment for agriculture, forestry,
construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation.
It also provides financial services worldwide.
Lane began working for John Deere in 1982. He has
served as senior vice president of its Worldwide Agricultural
Equipment Division, directing operations in Latin America,
Australia and East Asia; chief financial officer, directing
operations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India and the
nations of the former Soviet Union; and president of the
Worldwide Agricultural Equipment Division. He became
chairman and chief executive officer of John Deere in August
2000.
Born in Washington, D.C., Lane graduated from Wheaton
College, Wheaton, Ill., and earned a master of business
administration degree from the University of Chicago. He and
his wife, Patricia, are the parents of three adult children.
During his "Grace Matters" interview, Lane recalled his
father's recent funeral. Lane's son read from the New
Testament book of Galatians regarding the "fruits of the
Spirit, which are wonderful qualities of love, joy and peace
and long-suffering," he said. Lane said he hoped he would
be remembered for similar attributes and not "the latest
earnings release at Deere."
Lane said he hoped his legacy would be that "through
the mercy of God that every human being was treated with
the dignity of inherent worth that I have the privilege to
be in contact with."
"Grace Matters" airs on nearly 180 radio stations in
the United States and internationally. Program information
and podcasts are available at http://gracematters.org on
the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
