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McCormick International USA CEO loves old iron

McCormick International USA was one of the premier sponsors of this year’s Half Century of Progress Show in Rantoul, Ill. “We are so honored to be a premier sponsor,” CEO Rodney Miller said. “We are committed to do this again in 2011. We feel it is important to give something back.”

McCormick – connected with the famous Cyrus McCormick, though now privately held by the Morra family of Italy – builds and distributes agricultural tractors for both full-time and rural lifestyle farmers. Tractors run in power from 23 hp through 280 hp. With factories in several countries around the world, McCormick distributes its products through a network of dealers throughout the United States.

Miller may have been at the show with his CEO hat, but he put on his farmer digs to perform jobs that included everything from working in the McCormick tent to driving a people mover. While these days the CEO is a Georgia resident, he was originally a farm boy from Illinois.

“I maintain a 1,600-acre row crop farming operation in the Benton area,” he said. “When I walk those fields that are still in our family today, I am reminded of the countless trips I made over them through the years with all the many different farm tasks, and all at Dad’s careful instruction. Most of what I consider valuable today, I learned on those fields and in that time.”

While at the Half Century of Progress, Miller had the chance to play with the 1978 International Harvester 1086 tractor that was the last one his father, John Eugene Miller, bought new. Rodney Miller has restored his tractor back to its original beauty. “My dad, Gene, simply put, was absolutely the greatest man I have ever known,” Miller shared.

The 1086 was purchased in 1979 from Hamilton County Implement in McLeansboro, Ill., which was owned by Miller’s uncle, Charlie. Gene bought the last of what Rodney calls, “the black seat models made.” This was also the only tractor his father purchased that had a cab.

Over the years, the tractor worked hard on the Miller farm and eventually was sold to Miller’s brother, Larry. Time went by until they no longer knew where the old 1086 had landed. Eventually, memories of the tractor prompted Miller to tell his nephew, Jerry Miller, to keep an eye out for the last tractor his father owned.
Soon after Miller had contacted Jerry, he learned that Gene had passed away. On Miller’s trip back home, Jerry called and told him he had found the tractor, at Buening Implement in Effingham, Ill.
Once he confirmed it was “the tractor,” Miller quickly bought it. George Glasscock restored the tractor starting in December 2008 and finishing in May. The Half Century was the first time the old tractor had been to a show.

This, then, seemed the perfect show for Miller to display the tractor that had meant so much to him over the years. For a show all about reliving old iron, that was exactly what this busy CEO did. He took a few days to recall his farm roots and drive the 1086 in memory of his father.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.

12/23/2009