Stihl Inc. announced today that more than one million training tests have been taken through its award-winning Stihl iCademy personal development program, a free distance-based resource which offers interactive training modules and videos for all registered Stihl dealership owners and their employees. As part of the “Train2Gain” Stihl iCademy Challenge, Stihl awarded Marty Catron, corporate parts manager at Tri Green Tractor LLC in Flora, Ind., and registered iCademy user, with two complimentary round trip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S. for successfully completing the one millionth test.

Catron, who has worked with the owners of Tri Green Tractor since the 1980s, was excited when he got the news. “I never expected to be recognized in this way,” said Catron, whose successful completion of the Pruning 101 module led to his one millionth test recognition. “I use the program at work all the time. Even folks who think they know everything about the business can learn from Stihl iCademy and grow their careers.”

As part of the prize package, Catron and Jason Pearson, one of the principal owners of Tri Green Tractor, were flown to Stihl Inc. headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va., where they toured the U.S. manufacturing plant, met with Stihl representatives and executives, and received recognition for their achievement as the iCademy Challenge winners. Pearson was also presented with the keys to a new 2013 Ram 1500 Big Horn Quad Cab 4X4, Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year, on behalf of his dealership.

“I already had a real respect for Stihl. Their choice to work with nothing but servicing dealers shows integrity and principle,” said Pearson, who plans to use his new truck as a dealership fleet vehicle. “After seeing how every piece of equipment is tested, started and run before leaving the plant, I have an even bigger respect for their dedication to quality, too. It’s a heck of a commitment.”

Stihl Inc. developed the iCademy program to assist dealers in delivering the outstanding service that differentiates them from their competitors and is a vital part of the Stihl brand. “The quality of the customer experience at their Stihl dealer is every bit as important as the quality of our products,” said Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Stihl Holding AG & Co. KG and grandson of the company’s founder.

John Keeler, national training manager at Stihl Inc., said, “Stihl’s success is dependent on our servicing dealers. Product training and business knowledge plays an integral role in the success of a dealership. Stihl views iCademy as an effective and efficient way to support our dealers’ businesses and their training needs. It enables Stihl to reach out to the extensive network of independently owned dealerships,” said Keeler.

Tri Green Tractor is an independent Stihl servicing dealer, with a complete staff of service technicians, who can diagnose problems, conduct failure analysis, and perform quick and reliable repair. Tri Green Tractor technicians have achieved Silver-level training through Stihl’s instructor-led Stihl MasterWrench Service course with hands-on training which helps to keep pace with the new engine technologies and new models of equipment and accessories. Trained service technicians are key to the value a Stihl dealer provides to customers.

Tri Green Tractor is a family owned and operated business with four locations and more than 100 employees, serving the north-central Indiana area and is also a premium member of Independent We Stand, a movement sponsored by Stihl and dedicated to educating communities about the importance and strong economic benefits of supporting locally owned businesses.

Stihl Inc. sets the standard in the Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) industry for Web-based learning with the iCademy training program. With more than 38,000 registered users who can take advantage of a wide array of free interactive training modules and videos, the site provides education on topics ranging from Stihl products, merchandising, customer service, troubleshooting and repairs, selling skills, public relations and business management. More than 60 training modules and videos are currently on the iCademy site, with frequent additions of new and updated materials. iCademy is a first-class training resource to maintain and grow the expertise of Stihl dealers.

For more information about the iCademy program, Stihl dealers can visit stihlicademy.com.

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