Toro Announces Leadership Changes

Toro announced several leadership changes the company says will strengthen the its organization as well as position it for long-term growth and profitability.

Dennis Himan was promoted to group vice president with responsibility for several divisions including commercial equipment, irrigation, international, landscape contractor business (Exmark brand), corporate accounts, and Toro-owned MTI Distributing; Himan most recently served as vice president and general manager, international business.

Bill Brown is now leading Toro's dealer businesses as vice president consumer business and landscape contractor business (Toro brand); he was previously vice president and general manager, commercial business. In addition, Philip Burkart, vice president irrigation businesses, is broadening his responsibilities to include micro-irrigation for North and South America in addition to golf and residential/commercial irrigation.

"These individuals have established strong track records of delivering results in their more than 60 years of combined experience with The Toro Company," said Mike Hoffman, chairman and CEO. "They are well-qualified to drive our growth strategies--now and in the future."

In other moves to strengthen the company's focus on customers and distributors, Tom Swain, who previously led the consumer business, is now president of MTI Distributing in Minnesota; Michael Happe is promoted from director, international marketing, to managing director, commercial business; Darren Redetzke is promoted from director commercial marketing to managing director, international; and Mike Anderson is promoted from president of MTI Distributing and Turf Professionals Equipment Company to managing director, distributor development.