SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/60100
viability of the organization. The industry faced — and continues to face — substantial regula- tory and legislative challenges, which require a significant commitment of resources (finances and personnel). OPEI immersed itself in those challenges, and we were able to actively engage those issues and not deplete the financial re- serves. Indeed, we increased those reserves de- spite the economic plunge that began in 2008. OPEI's senior vice president of finance & ad- ministration, Jean Hawes, is an exceptional stew- ard of OPEI's finances. The consolidation of OPEI and the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA) in 2001 is also high on my list of ac- complishments. Having the OPEI and PPEMA member companies under one umbrella organ- ization was essential for the manufacturers and suppliers. A splintered manufacturer/supplier in- dustry in today's business and political climate would have been very costly to the in- dustry, and not just in financial terms. OPEI was strengthened immeasurably with the addition of the PPEMA member companies. Achieving the merger of OPEI's trade show, the International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment EXPO, with the Green Industry Expo (GIE) is probably my major accomplish- ment, certainly the most visible to the broad Green Industry. Obviously, this achievement was not the work of one person. The key person in the merger was Warren Sellers, Sellers Exposi- tions. Without his vision, perseverance, experi- ence and knowledge, the combined trade show would have never become a reality. As you know, he continues as the show executive today. War- ren and I and the Sellers Exposition team were a great partnership. I must also salute several major participants who were essential to the trade show merger. Dan Ariens, the Ariens Co., served as chairman of EXPO at the time, and he played a major leadership role. Jerry Grossi and Rick Doesburg, representing PLANET, and Jeff Bourne, representing PGMS, were integral and essential to seeing GIE+EXPO become a reality. I can't conclude any discussion of GIE+EXPO without acknowledging the sup- port and active involvement of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) and the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau (LCVB). KEC President Harold Workman, and vice president of sales and marketing, Linda Edwards, and LCVB President Jim Wood and executive vice president, Karen Williams, are committed to the continued success of GIE+EXPO. Lastly, moving OPEI into a much greater level of government relations and public affairs activity is a source of pride. My two previous associations were heavily engaged in legislative affairs, and I knew what it took to be a re- spected player in Washington. I recognized Kris Kiser's quality reputation, experience, expert- ise and knowledge when I hired him in 2007. He deserves great credit for OPEI's accomplish- ments in those arenas and, of course, today he serves as OPEI's president & CEO. OPE: Any final thoughts? BH: I would like to thank you, Steve, and Outdoor Power Equipment magazine for this recognition. I would also like to congratulate the other "most influential people" selected by your respected publication. I would be remiss in not specifically congratulating Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co. and a past chairman of the board for OPEI, and Kris Kiser, OPEI's current president and CEO.— Steve Noe www.stma.org SportsTurf 19