ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced the appointment of Gerry Coons as its new vice president of industry affairs. Coons, an engineer and MBA, is a 30-year OPE industry veteran, having most recently served as general manager at the Husqvarna production facility in Orangeburg, S.C.

As vice president of industry affairs, Coons will oversee and manage ISO and ANSI standards work and regulatory relationships with the EPA, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), California Air Resources Board (CARB), Health Canada and Canadian Provincial Authorities.

“OPEI is strengthening its core capabilities to better serve our members’ needs,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “Gerry’s substantial background with equipment manufacturing and regulation brings “real world” experience to our organization. It is imperative that OPEI continue to be the global leader in the harmonization of rules and standards for outdoor power equipment, and with Gerry’s oversight, we’ll be able to grow and bolster the association’s role.”