Virginia Beach outdoor equipment manufacturer Stihl appoints new CEO

Virginian Pilot· Kaitlin McKeown/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS

Stihl Inc., a major employer in Virginia Beach, will be headed by new leadership, the company said Friday.

Chris Keffer, the company’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, was promoted to president and CEO, effective Aug. 4, according to a news release. Terry Horan, who previously worked in that role since April last year, will serve on the board.

The manufacturer of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor equipment has maintained operations in Virginia Beach since 1974. Stihl Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based Stihl Group, is headquartered in the city.

“The USA is by far our most important market worldwide. These appointments provide stability and continuity, which are critical to our long-term strategic and operational success,” Michael Traub, chairman of the Stihl executive board, said in the announcement.

Keffer was named vice president of sales and marketing for Stihl in May 2022, before being promoted to his senior role in April.

“Stihl has always had a long-term strategic outlook. So, while our market may be facing short-term challenges, we see tremendous opportunity in our future,” Keffer said in the news release. “We have the people, products, programs and partners to grow our position as the leading authority in the gas and battery outdoor power equipment markets.”

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