Aaron Raap has been named CEO of United Ag & Turf and United Construction & Forestry, John Deere dealerships in the Northeast. Raap brings experience in dealership leadership and aims to enhance customer service and expand operations. He highlights the growth potential of the company and its commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for customers.
United Ag & Turf and United Construction & Forestry photo
United Ag & Turf and United Construction & Forestry — fast-growing John Deere dealerships with 51 locations across the Northeast — recently appointed Aaron Raap as its new CEO.
United Ag & Turf and United Construction & Forestry — fast-growing John Deere dealerships with 51 locations across the Northeast — recently appointed Aaron Raap as its new CEO.
Of the total locations, 14 serve the construction and forestry markets, while the remaining 41 support John Deere's agricultural and turf segments (four of the stores are full line, serving both sides of the business.) The companies operate in New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. The construction division primarily consists of former Nortrax Equipment and Schmidt Equipment locations.
Raap, a Midwest native, most recently held a leadership position at Brandt Holdings, a major John Deere distributorship serving the Dakotas and western Minnesota. He also brings prior experience from a Caterpillar dealership, where he gained additional valuable knowledge of the construction industry.
Relocating from the Midwest to the Northeast marked both a professional and personal milestone for Raap. Over the past few years, he built a relationship with Kirk Fernandez, chairman of the board of United Ag & Turf/United Construction & Forestry, during various industry events. The decision to accept the CEO role was further influenced by the fact that Raap's wife is originally from Connecticut.
In an interview with Construction Equipment Guide (CEG), Raap emphasized John Deere's momentum across its key markets, particularly in construction equipment.
"With the acquisition of Wirtgen, John Deere distributors have a tremendous opportunity to offer world-class paving, compaction, and aggregate solutions," Raap said. "Whether in agriculture or construction, John Deere is consistently proactive — always looking to enhance service quality and improve product offerings. This broader product portfolio strengthens our support for core customers and ensures contractors can rely on a single source for comprehensive solutions."
Raap also noted the company's continued investment in infrastructure as it expands across the Northeast. United recently opened a facility in Hermon, Maine, and added new locations in Clifton Park, N.Y., and Pembroke, N.H.
When asked about his vision for the role, Raap said, "One of my top priorities is eliminating barriers for both our employees and our customers. If we empower our employees to take care of the customer, everything else follows. Providing the right tools and support for our team is key to customer satisfaction — and that, in turn, leads to strong financial health."
He also addressed the growing scale of the dealership's operations:
"Size is increasingly essential to a dealership's success," he said. "The costs associated with supporting this industry — employees, facilities, technology — have risen significantly. To stay competitive, a dealership needs purchasing power and infrastructure. As we grow our footprint and expand our customer base, we're better positioned to meet the needs of both our employees and customers."
For more information, visit www.unitedagandturf.com/ CEG
This story also appears on Forestry Equipment Guide.
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