NAEDA Announces New Dealer Council Members
The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) announced the development and implementation of the NAEDA OPE Dealer Council. The establishment, said the NAEDA, is a significant step in representing the interests of OPE (Outdoor Power Equipment) Dealers across North America.
“The NAEDA OPE Dealer Council is critical to providing representation for OPE Dealers in North America and effectively addressing OPE dealer issues,” stated Kim Rominger, NAEDA CEO.
The Council includes 13 OPE Dealer Members and NAEDA staff. The group plans to address key issues affecting OPE dealers and provide solutions to improve advocacy, communication, and education for dealers.
“The NAEDA OPE Dealer Council has some of the industry’s leading dealers as members and is addressing dealer issues from batteries to inventory to financing for both dealers and customers. They are helping develop key relationships between manufacturers and NAEDA’s Industry Relations Task Force. This is vital when creating lines of communications to solve dealer issues with manufacturers that benefit all,” said Rominger.
During their first meeting in Indianapolis, the Council elected Ken Weingartz as Chairman and Jim Herbert as Vice Chairman. They also requested the establishment of an OPE Industry Relations Task Force specifically for OPE dealers.
The Council decided to engage with key manufacturers such as Toro Company, Cub Cadet/Stanley Black & Decker, and Stihl to foster communication and address concerns related to finance programs, inventory, pricing, and the critical issue of battery products, including collection, recycling, disposal, and shipping costs.
Council to meet at Equip Expo
The next National OPE Dealer Council Meeting, scheduled for October 17, 2023, in Louisville, just before the Equip Expo, will be another opportunity for the Council to discuss strategies and initiatives to benefit OPE dealers and the industry as a whole. With the Council’s efforts and engagement with manufacturers, they aim to find solutions that will benefit both dealers and customers in the OPE market.
NAEDA OPE Dealer Council members
- Ken Weingartz, Weingartz Supply Co., Utica, Michigan – Chairman
- Jim Herbert, Bud Herbert Motors Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio – Vice Chairman
- Aubie Campbell, Campbell’s Lawn Equipment Forest Park, Georgia
- Sharon Killian Radke, Killian’s Hardware Hickory, North Carolina
- Scott Jardine, Arns Equipment LTD Calgary, Canada
- Andy More, More Farm Stores, Columbia City, Indiana
- Stacey English, Louisville Outdoor Turf Products Lexington, Kentucky
- Jason Huber, Central Equipment Lexington, Kentucky
- Mike Gillum, Gillum’s Service & Repair, Inc. Ashland, Kentucky
- Lance Ralston, Voss Brothers Sales & Rental, Inc. Powell, Ohio
- Melvin Sauder, Ebling’s Service Plus Myerstown, Pennsylvania
- Scott Muehlhauser, Scott’s Power Equipment Bridgetown, Missouri
- Laura Bentley, Bentley Bros., Inc. Brockport, New York
