Share On Social
OPEI Board Appoint New Leadership
The Board of Directors of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has announced new leadership at the helm, with the appointment of Rick Olson, Chairman, President and CEO, The Toro Co. as Chairman. The board also elected several new executive committee members to the 2020-2021 roster.
Olson takes on chairmanship duties during an unprecedented time in the association’s history. “Change and creativity are the watchwords of OPEI this year,” says Olson. “No one could have predicted how 2020 would unfold, but the association is ready to tackle the challenges ahead from how we meet and connect with one another to reassessing our priorities. We’ve learned through this pandemic just how important our outdoor spaces are to our mental and physical health.”
OPEI’s 2020-2021 officers and members of its Board of Directors are Chair Rick Olson, Chairman, President and CEO, The Toro Co.; Vice Chair Tom Duncan, Executive Board Member, Positec USA, Inc.; Secretary/Treasurer Joe Wright, President and CEO, Excel Industries; Immediate Past Chair Bjoern Fischer, President, Stihl; GIE+EXPO Show Chairman Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO, Ariens Co.
The OPEI Board also rounded out its executive committee with two additional members. Dan Ariens has joined as GIE+EXPO Show Chairman, which will be a permanent position on the executive committee due to the importance of the event and the impending changes that will take place in coming years. Also joining the executive committee is Joe Wright as Secretary/Treasurer.
In 2022, OPEI moves into a restructured ownership model of GIE+EXPO as sole owner.
Latest News
Below-Average Temperatures Costing Landscapers Money
Nearing the end of March, temperatures across New England are a solid 20 degrees below average. For some, the cold isn’t just unpleasant, it’s costly. Owners of Giant Landscaping in Manchester say they should be…
OPEI Issues Key Equipment Safety And Maintenance Best Practices
With warmer weather urging people to put away snow throwers and bring out lawnmowers, string trimmers and other lawn and garden equipment, OPEI wants to remind consumers that equipment care, maintenance and safety is a…
OSHA Opens Nominations For Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee
OSHA recently announced that nominations are being accepted for members to serve on the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee. WPAC was established to advise and make recommendations to the secretary of labor and the assistant secretary…
