OPEI plans for headquarters opening and adds board members

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) board of directors met in Miami to discuss the association’s initiatives for 2018 and beyond, including discussing final plans for its headquarters building.

"Growth and engagement are the watchwords of OPEI this year," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "We discussed blockbuster growth of GIE+EXPO, the industry's signature trade show, as well as the many opportunities and challenges facing our members. We are also very excited about the opening of our new headquarters building in May."

The grand opening and ribbon cutting for OPEI’s new headquarters building at 1605 King Street in Alexandria, Virginia, were set for noon to 2 p.m. May 7. The event is open to OPEI members, trade press and guests who will tour the new facilities. Both OPEI’s handheld products and engines and fuels committees will be meeting that week in the new conference center.

The new OPEI headquarters includes a state-of-the-art conference center that can seat 50 people for in-person and virtual meetings. The new headquarters office will enable OPEI members around the country to participate more fully in association business and activities.

During the meeting in Miami, the board also elected two new members. Mark Wagner, president of Club Car LLC, and Joseph C. Wright, president and CEO of Excel Industries, joined OPEI’s board of directors.

The OPEI board of directors is chaired by Daniel T. Ariens, chairman and CEO of Ariens Company. The vice chair is Tom Cromwell, group president of Power, Kohler Company. The secretary/treasurer is Bjoern Fischer, president of Stihl Incorporated. The immediate past chair is Tim Merrett, vice president, global platform of turf and utility at Deere & Company.

Rounding out the board are:

• Ed Cohen, vice president of government and industry relations at American Honda Motor Company

• Tim Dorsey, president of Echo Incorporated

• Tom Duncan, president and CEO of Positec

• Peter Hampton, president of Active Exhaust Corporation

• Jean Hlay, president and COO of MTD Products 
• Jeff Hohler, president, consumer brands division at Husqvarna Professional Products

• Rick Olson, president and CEO of The Toro Company

• Lee Sowell, president of Outdoor Products at Techtronic Industries Power Equipment

• Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO at Briggs & Stratton Corporation

• Mark Wagner, president at Club Car LLC

• Joe Wright, president and CEO at Excel Industries

The next board meeting will be in conjunction with the OPEI annual meeting June 16-18 in Bonita Springs, Florida.