Deere & Company announced that former Eastman Chemical Company executive, Kellye Walker, will join its leadership team as senior vice president, chief legal officer and worldwide public affairs, effective April 29, 2024. In her new role, Walker will succeed Mary Jones as the company's general counsel and have executive management responsibility for the global law and patent departments, as well as oversight of the company's public affairs and environmental, health, and safety functions.  Walker has over 25 years of senior executive experience. As the vice president & chief legal officer at Eastman Chemical Company, she held overall leadership responsibility for Eastman's legal organization, including oversight of corporate governance, compliance, intellectual property, litigation, government affairs, product stewardship and regulatory affairs, global business conduct, as well as the company's global health, safety, and environment organizations.

Previously, she was executive vice president and chief legal officer for Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. She also served as chief administrative officer at American Water Works Co., senior vice president and general counsel for Diageo North America, and senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary for BJ's Wholesale Club. She also served as a corporate partner in major law firms in Boston and New Orleans.