The Engines and Power Products division of Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. has named JJ Zeilstra government relations manager, giving him primary responsibility for directing the division’s government relations activities and ensuring that Kawasaki products meet all applicable requirements.

Zeilstra will oversee the division’s compliance with all U.S. laws and regulations that affect its general use engine products.  Part of that responsibility will include close interaction with the Engine Products Engineering Group at Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan and Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. U.S.A., which manages two production facilities in Marysville, Mo. and Lincoln, Neb.

He will evaluate proposed legislation that can affect Kawasaki product categories and will formulate appropriate responses to them in conjunction with the engineering staff.  In addition, he will represent the division in ongoing technical committee activities at industry organizations, such as Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.

Part of the overall process will involve participation in the standards development process with organizations such as Society of Automotive Engineers—where he holds a membership—American National Standards Institute, International Standards Organization, and Underwriters Laboratories. Zeilstra will coordinate all divisional product testing with government agencies and independent test laboratories.

Zeilstra is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., and holds a Master’s Degree in science and engineering in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. He previously worked at Kubota Engine America, General Motors Powertrain and Powerix Technologies.