RDO Equipment Names Weihs Chief Operating Officer

3 January 2000

RDO Equipment Names Weihs Chief Operating Officer

    FARGO, N.D.--Jan. 3, 2000--RDO Equipment Co. , which operates the largest network of John Deere construction and agricultural equipment stores in North America, today announced that Gary L. Weihs, 44, has joined the Company as Chief Operating Officer. In this position, Weihs oversees all of the Company's operations and reports to Paul T. Horn, President.
    Ronald D. Offutt, Founder and Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, said he was "absolutely thrilled" that Weihs has joined RDO Equipment.
    "Gary's appointment completes an extensive search we undertook last year to find a person with the experience and the skills to manage our various businesses," Offutt stated. "Gary is exactly the person we were looking for. We believe he will be extremely valuable in leading the Company into the 21st century as we continue through a time of dynamic change in the industries in which we do business."
    Weihs joins RDO Equipment from Solutia Incorporated where he served as Vice President/General Manager of Industrial Products since 1997. From 1994 to 1997, he was Director, Supply Chain - Crop Chemicals, The Americas, for the Monsanto Agricultural Group. Before joining Monsanto, he received an MBA degree with 2nd year honors in 1994 from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration where he also served as section education representative and co-president of the food and agribusiness club.
    Prior to undertaking his MBA studies at Harvard in 1992, he served as Director of Distribution - Pepsi Cola East and in other management positions with PepsiCo Inc. from 1984 to 1992; and in management positions with the Procter & Gamble Company from 1978 to 1984. He also holds a BS degree in mineral engineering from Colorado School of Mines where he was elected by the student body as the outstanding overall student his senior year.
    "Gary's experience with growth initiatives, efficient operations and customer relations make him uniquely qualified to continue our long tradition of growth and to capitalize upon this growth through improved bottom-line results," added Offutt. "As we look forward, we see a bright future with many opportunities."

RDO Equipment Co. is one of the leading and fastest growing companies engaged in the restructuring and consolidation of the equipment and truck retail industries in the United States. It operates 68 retail stores with operations in 11 states, specializing in the distribution, sale, service, rental and finance of equipment and trucks to the agricultural, construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing industries, as well as to public service entities, government agencies and utilities. Information about the Company, including recent news and product information, is available at its web site - www.rdoequipment.com.