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FRED J. WHYTE ELECTED VICE-CHAIRMAN
OF THE OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT INSTITUTE
Date: August 2005
Release Date: IMMEDIATELY
Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100
Key Biscayne, FL, June 24, 2005 — Fred J. Whyte, President
of Stihl Incorporated, was elected Vice Chairman of the Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) during the Association's 53rd
Annual Meeting in Key Biscayne, Florida.
As president of STIHL Incorporated, Mr. Whyte is responsible
for the overall management of STIHL's U.S. operation, headquartered
in Virginia Beach, Va. Prior to his appointment in 1992, Mr.
Whyte was the president of STIHL Limited, the company's Canadian
affiliate which he founded in 1982.
During his 10 years at STIHL Ltd, the Canadian company achieved
increases in sales each year. The tradition of achievement
has continued under Mr. Whyte's presidential tenure at STIHL
Inc., which has experienced 13 consecutive years of annual
increases in sales and revenue.
Mr. Whyte began his career with STIHL in 1971, working as
a regional manager for STIHL American, the same company where
his father had worked for nearly two decades. He became product
manager for STIHL Inc. in 1975 and was promoted to national
sales manager just four years later.
A native of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Mr. Whyte is a Magna
Cum Laude graduate of Seattle University and holds a master's
degree in business communications from the University of Iowa.
Presently, Mr. Whyte is on the OPEI board of directors and
he is also chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee. Previously,
he served as president of the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers
Association (PPEMA).
OPEI is the major international trade association representing
the manufacturers and their suppliers of consumer and commercial
outdoor power equipment such as lawnmowers, garden tractors,
utility vehicles, trimmers, edgers, chain saws, snow throwers,
tillers, leaf blowers and other related products. Founded
in 1952, the Institute is dedicated to promoting the outdoor
power equipment industry by undertaking activities that can
be pursued more effectively by an association than by individual
companies.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
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