OPEI announces 2015-16 officers and directors
On July 8, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2015-16 officers and board of directors. The new officers and board members were chosen during the OPEI annual meeting, which was held June 23-25 in Santa Fe, N.M.
Officers for the 2015-16 year are:
* OPEI Chair: Lee Sowell, president, outdoor products at Techtronic Industries Power Equipment
* OPEI Vice Chair: Tim Merrett, vice president of A&T global platform and turf & utility, Deere & Company
* OPEI Secretary/Treasurer: Daniel Ariens, president & CEO, Ariens Company
* Immediate Past Chair: Paul Mullet, president, Excel Industries
“I am proud to be part of the outdoor power equipment industry, a member of OPEI, on the board of directors for OPEI, and especially to be chairman for the 2015-16 year,” said Sowell. “I look forward to a productive year in this role – serving our industry and the OPEI member companies.”
“OPEI is the voice of outdoor power equipment, utility vehicle, and small-engine manufacturers,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “Our board of directors plays a key role in overseeing, inspiring, and leading our work. We represent our members and their interests in Washington, D.C.; educate the public about proper fueling for outdoor power equipment through our ‘Look Before You Pump’ campaign; and share safety standards and best practices. Our TurfMutt environmental stewardship and education program – created in partnership with Scholastic – teaches children how to take care of green spaces while learning and having fun.”
Continuing their service on OPEI’s board of directors are as follows: Earl Bennett, general counsel, North America and Latin America, Husqvarna Group; Edward Cohen, vice president, government & industry relations, Honda North America, Inc.; Tom Cromwell, group president – power, Kohler Company; Tim Dorsey, president, Echo Incorporated; Marc Dufour, president, Club Car; Peter Hampton, president, Active Exhaust Corporation; Jean Hlay, president and COO, MTD Products Inc.; Michael Hoffman, chairman, CEO, The Toro Company; Todd Teske, chairman, president & CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corp.; and Fred Whyte, president, Stihl Incorporated.
For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.
