The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) Board of Directors held a monthly strategy meeting January 24-26 in Sarasota, Fla. They welcomed new board members, discussed issues central to the industry’s health and well-being, and made plans for 2016.
OPEI Board of Directors
- Chair – Lee Sowell, President – Outdoor Products, Techtronic Industries, N.A., Inc.
- Vice Chair – Tim Merrett , VP, A & T Global Platform – Turf & Utility, Deere & Co.
- Secretary/Treasurer – Daniel T. Ariens, CEO, Ariens Co.
- Immediate past chair – Paul Mullet, Chairman, President & CEO, Excel Industries
OPEI welcomes new board member Jeff Hohler, President, Consumer Brands Division, Husqvarna Professional Products.
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
- the expansion of OPEI’s TurfMutt environmental stewardship and education program, created in partnership with Scholastic
- recent developments on ethanol and fuel pump labeling
- 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,” OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser, says.
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 adds, “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.”
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