ATFS and STIHL Name Wisconsin Tree Farmers, Jim and Marlene Zdanovec,
2004 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

Date: January 2005
Release Date: IMMEDIATELY
Release No. 00-016X

Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation sponsored by STIHL Inc., named Jim and Marlene Zdanovec of Marathon County, Wisconsin, as the 2004 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Zdanovecs received their award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Fort Collins, Colo., Tree Farming With Altitude. STIHL Inc. served as the exclusive presenting sponsor of the annual award, which recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

In recognition of the award, STIHL presented the Zdanovecs with an MS 440 STIHL Magnum™ chain saw.

Jim, an insurance inspector, and Marlene, an office manager, were selected from a long list of certified Tree Farmers throughout the nation. Having been actively involved in promoting tree farming and the benefits of sustainable forestry in their community for years, the Zdanovecs' tree farming history is characterized with a host of activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of tree farming.

“Outstanding tree farmers like the Zdanovecs stand for such very worthy causes stewardship, conservation, habitat protection,” said Peter Burton, vice president of sales and marketing for STIHL Inc. “STIHL is proud to support those who actively encourage these and other practices of sustainable forestry.”

About the ATFS Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award

STIHL Inc. is the exclusive presenting sponsor of the ATFS Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Regional and National Awards, as well as the sole, handheld outdoor power equipment provider for the ATFS. The awards aim to promote forest management, recognize outstanding tree farmers and the foresters who work with them, focus public attention on them as symbols of good forestry, encourage land owners to manage their lands by showing what winners have accomplished, and utilize successful candidates to influence legislation affecting private forest land owners.

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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