ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Board of Directors for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) met recently in  Sarasota, Fla., to welcome new board member Jeff Hohler and discuss industry issues and plan for 2016. Hohler is President, of the Consumer Brands Division of Husqvarna Professional Products.

“It’s evident we have a lot of new energy within the OPEI Board of Directors,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. “We have an involved and dedicated board to guide the outdoor power equipment industry forward in 2016.”

The OPEI Board of Directors is chaired by Lee Sowell, President – Outdoor Products, Techtronic Industries, N.A., Inc. The vice chair is Tim Merrett, vice president, A&T Global Platform – Turf & Utility, Deere & Co. The Secretary/Treasurer is Daniel T. Ariens, CEO, Ariens Co. The immediate past chair: Paul Mullet, Chairman, President and CEO, Excel Industries.

Continuing their service on the OPEI Board of Directors are: Edward B. Cohen, Vice President - Government & Industry Relations, American Honda Motor Co. Inc.; Thomas G. Cromwell, Group President – Power, Kohler Co.; Tim Dorsey, President, Echo Inc.; Tom Duncan, President and CEO, Positec; Marc  J. Dufour, President and CEO, Club Car LLC; Bjoern Fischer , President, Stihl Inc.; Peter Hampton, President, Active Exhaust Corp.; Jean Hlay, President and Chief Operating Officer, MTD Products Inc.; Michael J. Hoffman, Chairman and CEO, The Toro Co.; Todd Teske, Chairman, President and CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corp.; David Withers, President, Jacobsen, A Textron Co.

The January board meeting agenda included discussions about proposed changes to California’s emissions regulations and attacks on the managed landscape from the drought in the West. Also discussed was the expansion of OPEI’s TurfMutt environmental stewardship and education program, created in partnership with Scholastic; recent developments on ethanol and fuel pump labelling; and OPEI’s consumer-based ethanol education program, Look Before You Pump.

“We are the voice of the outdoor power equipment industry, which is increasingly facing new challenges. Green space under assault in drought-stricken areas and there are increased regulatory requirements evolving in California and in other areas. We also remain concerned about consumer confusion over proper fueling because we’re seeing greater ethanol fuel blends enter the marketplace supply, nationwide,” said Kiser.

OPEI is also taking advantage of new opportunities for the industry, such as with The Lucky Dog television show, which airs on Saturday mornings on CBS.

Kiser added, “Lucky Dog is now featuring tips from TurfMutt for yards and helping viewers learn about having a living landscape for their pets at home. We’re also launching a new curriculum for our TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program with Scholastic later this month.”

About OPEI
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. OPEI is the advocacy voice of the industry, and a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards. OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the industry’s annual international trade show, and the creative force behind the environmental education program, TurfMutt.com. OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute 2015-2016 Board of Directors met recently discuss plans for 2016.