Two top executives at Stihl’s U.S. division headquartered in Virginia Beach left the company on Friday, the company confirmed.

Stihl Inc. President Bjoern Fischer and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Nick Jiannas both left through mutual agreement and on positive terms, Stihl Corporate Communications Manager Roger Phelps said in an email.

“Due largely to the leadership, dedication and commitment of these two individuals, Stihl Inc. has enjoyed significant success and growth over the past several years,” Phelps said. “The company and the Stihl family wish them both success in their future endeavors.”

A transition plan is in place, and in the interim, the president’s duties will be handled by Mark Scavillo, vice president of finance and information services, and Lorraine Amesbury Holder, vice president of operations, Phelps said. Jiannas’ job will be temporarily handled by Murray Bishop, director of sales.

The executive team shake-up was originally reported by Virginia Business magazine. The outlet, along with The Virginian-Pilot, received an Oct. 7 internal company memo announcing the changes.

Stihl employs around 1,900 people in Virginia Beach and plans to continue operating the facility.

“The Stihl family and the entire leadership of the Stihl group see tremendous potential for further growth in the U.S. and continued investment will be made in the U.S. operations going forward,” Stihl leaders said in the memo.

Nikolas Stihl, chairman of the parent company’s advisory and supervisory board, recently told employees that leaders stood behind the entire U.S. operation, including employees, branches, distributors and Stihl dealers, according to the memo.

Fischer joined Stihl in 2012 and was appointed as president in 2016. He serves on the board of directors for the Hampton Roads Chamber, the board of directors for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and is an executive advisory council member for Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business. Inside Business featured Fischer on its Power List over the past few years.

Jiannas worked for Stihl for 26 years and was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing in 2012.

Stihl Group had a successful 2020, growing revenue by more than 16% from the previous year. The family-owned company was founded in 1926.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com