Dan Dougherty is a distinguished business leader and advocate for education, currently serving as Director of Electronics Manufacturing and OEM Sales at John Deere. In this role, he leads global sales and product management for advanced electronic systems, overseeing a business segment with full responsibility for earnings. His leadership spans across controllers, displays, telematics, sensors, and power electronics—critical technologies shaping the future of agriculture and heavy equipment.
A native of Gate City, Virginia, Dougherty was raised with strong values of education and service. He is an MBA graduate from the Haslam College of Business. He credits the MBA program—and the mentorship from its faculty and his peers—for preparing him to excel in diverse leadership roles across logistics, marketing, and operations.
Despite a demanding career and extensive travel, Dougherty remains deeply committed to giving back. He mentors Haslam College of Business students, judges undergraduate case competitions, frequently returns to campus as a guest speaker, and serves on the advisory board. His passion for student development is rooted in his own transformative experience on a case competition team.
Dougherty’s philanthropic legacy is equally impactful. In memory of his parents, he established the Mary, Jack, and Daniel H. Dougherty Faculty Award Endowment, along with additional investments in student scholarships, and UT’s new business building. His generosity reflects a lifelong commitment to paying it forward and extending his family’s values to future generations.
Dougherty’s story is one of professional excellence, personal integrity, and unwavering dedication to education and community—a true embodiment of servant leadership.
