The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute appointed Michael Ross to director of standards. Ross previously worked as a regulatory engineer for lawn and garden equipment for MTD Southwest. He’s also worked for Stewing, McNeilus, Cushman and LMC. He has engineering experience in mechanics, dynamics, hydraulics, electrical, CAD design and manufacturing.

T. Christy Enterprises appointed Tom Childers, former vice president of marketing for John Deere Landscapes, as its new manufacturer’s representatives for the irrigation and landscape market in Georgia.

Seed Research hired Michael Billman as business development manager. Billman has more than 20 years of seed industry experience and has worked in sales, sales management, operations, production and general management roles in the green industry.

Shiller Grounds Care hired Nick Little as its parts business manager. Little brings more than 16 years of experience in customer service, leadership and sales. He spent six years working as an aftermarket sales and operations manager for a large rig drilling manufacturing company.

Ruppert Landscape added Ethan Brown and Ron Standifer to its Alexandria, Va., landscape management branch.

Brown was hired as area manager. He holds an associate degree in landscape and turf management and a bachelor’s in business from Virginia Tech. He has 10 years of experience in the construction and excavation industries and two years of experience as an enhancement manager in the landscape industry.

Standifer was hired as enhancement manager. He has more than 16 years of industry experience, having held positions as a lawn technician, operations manager and account manager. He holds an associate degree in horticultural science from Potomac State College of West Virginia University.

The San Diego Chapter of California Landscape Contractors Association elected its board of directors. The board members are:

• Mike Salceanu, Landscapes USA—chairman of the board;
• Stacey Sturnot, BrightView—president;
• Janet Pozzuoli-Vallin, Belle Terre Landscapes—vice president, education and events;
• Rick Mandel, Ewing Irrigation—vice president, membership recruitment;
• Willie Valdez, Free Flow Products—vice president, membership recruitment;
• Melissa Tetzlaff, Landscape Contractors Insurance Services—vice president, education;
• Larry Hall, Horizon Distributors—vice president, resource management and legislation;
• Jerrie Beard, Jerrie Beard & Associates—secretary;
• Loren Godes, Hydro-Scape Products—AM vice chairman;
• Colin Farrelly, Imperial Sprinkler Supply—AM vice chairman; and
• Amy Conrad, Conrad Public Relations—public relations and marketing coordinator.