OPEI Welcomes New Board Members at Its Recent Annual Meeting
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) recently held its 2022 Annual Meeting, welcoming more than 100 members to the Fairmont El San Juan for three days of education and networking. Three new members were also named to its Board of Directors.
“Members in attendance heard from four excellent speakers covering key issues facing the business, including the global economy, the impact of the war in Europe, future technology trends, and the science of employee retention,” says Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “With so many networking events, our annual meeting is an extraordinary opportunity for members to gather and connect.”
Attendees and the Board of Directors were also briefed by association staff on Equip Exposition (the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition formerly known as GIE+EXPO), which OPEI took full ownership of last fall. The show, slated for Oct. 18-21 in Louisville, Kentucky, is growing under the new management structure, expanding the Outdoor Demo Yard to nearly 30 acres, broadening education opportunities to help attendees boost profits, and offering additional programming, among other improvements.
“OPEI and our trade show continue to receive tremendous support from the industry. Preliminary numbers on attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors indicate that this year’s event could be one of the best in the show’s 40-year history,” Kiser says.
Sponsors of the 2022 OPEI Annual Meeting were:
- TCF Inventory Finance, Premier Sponsor
- Louisville Tourism, OPEI Louisville Classic Golf Tournament
- Kohler Power, Wednesday Breakfast
- Propane Education & Research Council, Thursday Breakfast
- Kawasaki Engines, Dessert Reception
- Sheffield Financial, Keynote Sponsor
- Gates, Wednesday Networking Break
- YAT, Thursday Networking Break
- Wells Fargo, Welcome Gift
- TD Retail Card Services, Beach Bags
The OPEI Board of Directors met concurrently with the Annual Meeting, approving the association’s budget and work plans for the coming year. Three new Directors joined the Board: Steve Andrews, President and CEO, Briggs & Stratton; Terry Horan, President and CEO, STIHL Inc.; and John Wyatt, Senior Vice President and President of Outdoor, Stanley Black and Decker.
The 2022-23 OPEI Board of Directors Executive Committee comprises:
- Brian Melka, Group President — Power, Kohler Co., Chair
- Robert McCutcheon, President, Husqvarna North America, Vice Chair
- Mike Clancy, CEO, Chervon North America, Secretary/Treasurer
- Tom Duncan, Executive Board Member, Positec USA, Inc., Immediate Past Chair
- Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO, Ariens Company, Equip Exposition Show Chairman
Rounding out the Board of Directors are:
- Steve Andrews, President and CEO, Briggs & Stratton
- Tim Dorsey, President, Echo Incorporated
- Peter Hampton, President and CEO, Active Exhaust Corporation
- Terry Horan, President and CEO, STIHL Inc.
- Rick Olson, Chairman and CEO, The Toro Company
- Lee Sowell, President, Outdoor Products, Techtronic Industries Power Equipment
- David Thorne, Vice President, Turf & Compact Utility Business Unit, John Deere
- John Wyatt, Senior Vice President and President of Outdoor, Stanley Black and Decker.
The next Board meeting will take place in conjunction with Equip Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 18-21. OPEI’s 2023 Annual Meeting is slated for June 20-22 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.
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