The board of directors of the Toro Co. has elected Richard Olson president and CEO effective Nov. 1. Olson, a 30-year veteran of the company, has served as Toro’s president and chief operating officer since September 2015 and was elected to the company’s board of directors in January of this year. Toro’s current chairman and CEO Michael Hoffman will continue to serve as chairman of the board.
Olson joined Toro in 1986 as a manufacturing process engineer. He has held various positions in operations and engineering including manager of advanced manufacturing, commercial engineering program manager, director of Shakopee plant operations and managing director of northern manufacturing operations. In 2010, Olson was named general manager of Exmark and was appointed vice president of Exmark in 2012. The following year, Olson was named vice president, international business before being elected group vice president, international business, micro-irrigation business and distributor development in June 2014.
Speaking of Olson, Hoffman said, “His extensive experience, intelligence and commitment to our company’s core values make him an ideal candidate for his new role.”
