OPEI Announces 2007-08 Officers/Directors

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2007-08 Officers and Board of Directors during its 55th Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., held June 21-23.

Officers for 2007-08 include: OPEI Chairman, Steven M. Bly, Senior Vice president of operations, Echo, Lake Zurich, Ill.; OPEI Vice Chairman, Daniel T. Ariens, president, Ariens Co., Brillion, Wis.; and Secretary/Treasurer Philip J. Tralies, president & CEO, Club Car, Augusta, Ga.

Continuing their service on the OPEI Board of Directors are: Immediate past chairman, Fred J. Whyte, president, STIHL, Virginia Beach, Va.; Michael Hoffman, chairman, president & CEO, The Toro Co., Minneapolis, Minn.; Jean Hlay, executive vice president of marketing & sales, MTD Products, Valley City, Ohio; Robert C. Hove, vice president, worldwide sales, John Deere, Cary, N.C.; Roger Leon, COO, Husqvarna Consumer Outdoor Products, Augusta, Ga.; John S. Shiely, Chairman, president & CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corp., Milwaukee, Wis.; and David R. Zerfoss, president, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., Charlotte, N.C.