Lester Killebrew, of Abbeville, Ala., has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA).

Killebrew is chairman of SunSouth LLC, a John Deere dealership with 15 locations and an area of responsibility that includes Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

“Lester is a very effective leader and is well respected by staff and board alike. We look forward to his leadership of NAEDA this year,” says Paul Kindinger, President/CEO, NAEDA.

The North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA) has announced that Josh Ahearn has been named to serve on its Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer Council. Ahearn is director of sales and marketing for Ahearn Equipment, Inc. in Spencer, Mass.

“NAEDA is fortunate to have a council made up of outstanding outdoor power equipment dealers,” says Joe Dykes, director of outdoor power equipment programs for NAEDA. “Josh is young, energetic and full of great ideas. His talent will be invaluable to NAEDA in helping the association develop strategies to address the needs of OPE dealers throughout North America.”

Ahearn Equipment is a family owned dealership, which includes Josh’s parents, Tim and Donna, and brother Jeremy. The dealership employs 40-50 staff members and provides sales and service for Kubota, Cub Cadet, Stihl, Exmark, and Terex/ASV equipment. Josh and his brother, Jeremy, also appear regularly on TV, radio and YouTube as “The Tractor Guys.” The dealership is a member the Northeast Equipment Dealers Assn.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer Council is made up of NAEDA-affiliated dealers who advise the association on matters related to the outdoor power equipment industry. The council also works with manufacturers and other trade associations on industry issues.

Ten dealerships (including Riesterer & Schnell, Wis., pictured) have been designated Power Pro dealers by the North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA). Accreditation by the Power Pro program identifies a full service dealer who has made a significant investment in: facilities, whole goods, parts inventories, employee salaries and training, tools and equipment, computer and business systems, advertising, and one who provides reliable customer service and satisfaction at a professional, full service level.

“Power Pro is the mark of exceptional dealers,” says Joe Dykes, director of OPE programs for NAEDA. “The program brands a dealership as a business where consumers can expect exceptional product knowledge, premium products, full service and complete satisfaction.”

The dealerships earned accreditation by meeting industry standards related to operational performance and customer commitment. “The commitment of these dealerships to sales and service is exactly what we look for in a Power Pro dealership,” Dykes adds.

The North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA) recently announced six lawn and garden dealerships that have earned accreditation under NAEDA’s new Power Pro dealer program.

The six small engine dealerships earned accreditation by meeting industry standards related to operational performance and customer commitment. According to Joe Dykes, NAEDA director of OPE programs, “Power Pro is the mark of exceptional dealers. The program brands a dealership as a business where consumers can expect exceptional product knowledge, premium products, full service and complete satisfaction.”