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12 SEPTEMBER 2016 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com T he Toro Company announced July 19 that its board of directors has elected Richard M. Olson to the position of president and chief executive offi cer, effective Nov. 1, 2016. Olson, a 30-year veteran of the company, has served as Toro's president and chief operating offi cer since September 2015 and was elected to the company's board of directors in January 2016. Toro's current chairman and chief executive offi cer, Michael J. Hoffman, will continue to serve as chairman of the board. IIn 1986, Olson joined Toro as a manufacturing process engineer. He has held various positions in operations and engineering, including manager of advanced manufacturing, commercial engineering program manager, director of Shakopee plant operations, and managing director of northern manufacturing operations. In 2010, he was named general manager of Exmark and was appointed vice president of Exmark in 2012. In 2013, Olson was named vice president, international business, before being elected group vice president, international business, micro-irrigation business and distributor development, in June 2014. Refl ecting on the coming changes, Hoffman said, "Serving our employees and customers as Toro's chief executive offi cer has been the greatest privilege of my career. Our employees' and channel partners' passion for the business and relentless commitment to our company and brands have enabled us to accomplish much together. Looking forward, I am pleased and confi dent in passing the responsibilities of chief executive on to such a strong and tested leader as Rick Olson. His extensive experience, intelligence and commitment to our company's core values make him an ideal candidate for his new role." Hoffman joined Toro in 1977 and served the company in various service, sales and marketing roles before holding a series of key executive positions across the company's commercial and residential businesses. He was elected president in October 2004, chief executive offi cer in March 2005, and chairman of the board in March 2006. Hoffman has served on the board of directors of Donaldson Company, Inc., since 2005. He also currently serves on the board of overseers of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. "I am honored to have the opportunity to continue the storied legacy of our great company that Mike and leaders before him like Ken Melrose and David Lilly helped build through the decades, making Toro all that it is today," said Olson. "Like my predecessors, I will rely on the dedication and hard work of the entire Toro family. I look forward to working closely with our talented employees and channel partners to keep our company growing by delivering superior innovation and superior customer care." Olson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He serves on the boards of The Toro Foundation and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. The Toro Company elects new CEO Kawasaki Engines appoints new executive director Richard M. Olson K awasaki Engines, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., announced on June 28 the appointment of Nelson Wilner, an experienced marketing and sales professional, as executive director. The appointment was effective immediately, with Wilner reporting to Rodger Howe, vice president. Wilner comes to the growing division after more than 20 years in the marine and recreational vehicle industries, serving with manufacturers of hydraulic, diesel-powered generators and harsh- environment electrical products. He has also worked in executive capacities in the building products industry, and he has extensive Nelson Wilner experience in both consumer and business-to-business activities. Several key functions within the Kawasaki Engines group will report to Wilner, including dealer sales, marketing, order service, logistics, and information technology. "Nelson's background refl ects an ability to quickly adapt to differing business situations, and his strengths with marketing, distribution, and sales chain management will complement our overall direction," said Howe. Wilner was instrumental in establishing a European distribu- tion center for Bennett Marine, and he also set up the U.S. division of Italian generator manufacturer, Mase Generators S.p.A. A 15-year resident of the Grand Rapids area, Wilner spent a large part of his early career in Florida. He holds an MBA with a specialty in International Business from Nova Southeastern University, and a BS in Marketing from Nova Southeastern University/University of Florida. INDUSTRY NEWS