OPEAA announces officers and directors

OPEAA officers for 2016: President: Scott Harris, Blount International; Vice President: Mitzi Kiefer, Stens Corporation; Secretary/Treasurer: Britton Harold, Husqvarna; and Immediate Past President: Franck Sogaard, Jarden Applied Materials.

 

Angela Golden, NGK Spark Plugs, and Walter Rieck, Prime Line, were elected to the board.

 

Jerry Alexander, HBD/Thermoid, and Rodney DeLoach, Rotary Corporation, are continuing their service on the board.

 

OPEAA had a well-attended annual meeting, held this year at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The meeting not only provided several social networking opportunities, but was very productive  – the business sessions included speakers who presented timely and relevant information for the industry. The meeting began with a cocktail reception and silent auction to benefit the Bill Nelson Scholarship Fund, which offers scholarships to employees and families of OPEAA members. 

 

According to new OPEAA President Scott Harris, “This year’s annual meeting highlighted many global changes the outdoor power equipment industry is experiencing. The strong U.S. dollar, lower energy pricing, and new technologies continue to demand flexibility of dealers, distributors and manufacturers alike. Market demands are shifting to include products powered by lithium ion batteries and more efficient gasoline engines. Consumer decision making is vastly different from just a decade ago. Taking advantage of the digital tools available today allows our industry professionals to yield a better understanding of customer expectations and trends. In 2016, OPEAA will focus on expanding these resources available to our members, allowing their businesses to excel in the future.”