Outdoor Power Equipment Institute announces 2009-2010 officers and directors

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  - The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2009-10 officers and board of directors during its 58th annual meeting in Couer D’Alene, Id., held June 25-27.

Officers for 2010-11 include: OPEI Chairman Fred Whyte, president, STIHL;  OPEI Vice Chairman Jean Hlay, president and chief operating officer, MTD Products; and Secretary/Treasurer Richard Fotsch, president of the Global Power Group, Kohler Company.

“Our new officers will lend their leadership during what’s expected to be a pivotal year for our industry,” says Kris Kiser, executive vice president at OPEI. “As a team on the OPEI Board of Directors, they will bring forward thinking to a variety of issues that our industry is tackling in the next 12 months from legislative and regulatory issues to market issues.”

“The international scope of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute will drive decision making to meet global business challenges,” says Whyte. “And, we look forward to meeting those challenges through responsible research, design and manufacturing processes that ultimately benefit our customers and the environment worldwide.”