The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2010-11 officers and board of directors during its 58th annual meeting June 25-27 in Couer D'Alene, Idaho.

OPEI announces 2010-11 board

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2010-11 officers and board of directors during its 58th annual meeting June 25-27 in Couer D’Alene, Idaho.


The officers will be as follows: OPEI Chairman Fred Whyte, president, Stihl Inc.; OPEI Vice Chairman Jean Hlay, president and COO, MTD Products Inc.; and Secretary/Treasurer Richard Fotsch, president of the Global Power Group, Kohler Company.


“Our new officers will lend their leadership during what’s expected to be a pivotal year for our industry,” said Kris Kiser, executive vice president at OPEI. “As a team on the OPEI board of directors, they will bring forward thinking to a variety of issues that our industry is tackling in the next 12 months from legislative and regulatory issues to market issues.”


Whyte added, “The international scope of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute will drive decision making to meet global business challenges. And, we look forward to meeting those challenges through responsible research, design and manufacturing processes that ultimately benefit our customers and the environment worldwide.”


Rounding out the board will be the following: Immediate Past Chairman Michael Hoffman, chairman and CEO, The Toro Company; Daniel Ariens, president, Ariens Company; Steven Bly, executive vice president, Echo Inc.; Edward Cohen, vice president-government & industry relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Michael Jones, president, Husqvarna Professional Products; John May, senior vice president, AT&T Global Platform, Turf & Ag Division, John Deere Company; Gary Michel, president & CEO, Club Car, Inc.; Paul Mullet, president, Excel Industries; Todd Teske, president & CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corp.; and Dan Wilkinson, president, Jacobsen, a Textron Company.


About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute


OPEI is an international trade association representing the $15-billion landscape, forestry, utility and lawn and garden equipment manufacturing industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. Founded in 1952, OPEI represents and promotes the outdoor power equipment industry and ensures the public may continue to benefit from the economic, lifestyle and environmental contributions of landscapes and turfgrass. For more information on OPEI, visit www.OPEI.org.