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INDUSTRY NEWS Kawasaki Engine and Power Products division promotes seasoned executive to head OEM sales activities Kawasaki Engines and Power Products, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., announced on Nov. 19 the promotion of Timothy J. Malinowski to the position of senior sales manager-OEM sales. The promotion was effective immediately. Malinowski, who joined Kawasaki in 1998, has held several OEM sales-related positions at the company. As the new senior sales manager, he will have overall responsibility for managing the activities of the OEM sales managers, concentrating on continuing corporate sales development and creating specific activity goals. Malinowski will focus on business expansion and the development of existing and new opportunities in both the commercial and consumer markets. "I've had the chance over the past 15 years to work in various capacities at Kawasaki, and my exposure to and close working involvement with related customers and organizations will be invaluable as we continue to grow this part of our business," said Malinowski. "This new position presents a fairly seamless transition as I'll be able to work with a great Kawasaki team with whom I'm very familiar and also with a talented group of OEM sales and service representatives that have been a part of Tim Malnowski my daily activities for so many years," Malinowski added. Malinowski received a B.A. from Michigan State University and a Master's of Management from Aquinas College. NAEDA appoints new president and CEO Brian Melka Kohler names Engines Division VP Kohler Engines President Tom Cromwell has appointed Brian Melka to the role of vice president for the Americas. In this new role leading Kohler Engines business in the Americas, Melka will identify and drive key business strategies to continue business growth through Kohler Engines' expanding product line and key customer partnerships. "Brian is a seasoned global business leader," Cromwell said. "His experience in a variety of key leadership positions will support our business initiatives moving forward." Prior to Kohler, Melka served in numerous leadership capacities at Milwaukee-based Rexnord Inc. and Providence, R.I.-based Textron, Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. In addition, he is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Change Management coach. 10 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) recently announced that it has named Richard E. "Rick" Lawhun, president and chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2014. Prior to joining NAEDA, he served as president and CEO of the American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association (ACPPA) in Fairfax,Va. Prior to joining ACPPA, Lawhun was vice president of member benefits for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in Falls Church,Va. He also served in a variety of staff leadership roles at the American Society of Civil Engineers, including manager of technical activities, senior manager of membership development, and director of the Construction Institute. Early in his career, Lawhun managed an engineering department at Dewberry & Davis, an ENR Top 50 design firm. "We are extremely pleased to have Rick as our new president," noted NAEDA Chair Tom Nobbe, CEO of Wm. Nobbe & Co., Inc., Rick Lawhun Waterloo, Ill. "He has a unique set of skills and experience that will serve NAEDA well as we seek to reorganize our governance structure and increase the effectiveness of the organization." "This is a challenging opportunity to be part of an organization that is seeking to increase its visibility and better serve its members," stated Lawhun. "I am honored to have been selected and look forward to working with the members, board of directors and staff in leading NAEDA into a promising future." Lawhun is an alumnus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg,Va., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He and his wife Ping will be relocating to St. Louis from their current home in Fairfax,Va. www.outdoorpowerequipment.com