People on the move: Updates from LandCare, Bobcat and more

LandCare adds COO

Mark Hopkins

LandCare, No. 12 on the 2023 LM150 appointed Mark Hopkins as chief operating officer (COO). Hopkins will provide strategic leadership and guidance to LandCare’s divisional leaders.

As LandCare’s first COO, the company said Hopkins’ will focus on business growth, driving operational excellence and talent acquisition and development.

Since joining LandCare in 2014, Hopkins made significant contributions to the company’s turnaround and ongoing success. In his role as region vice president, LandCare said Hopkins’ impact on the Texas and Oklahoma regions resulted in robust growth and market expansion, including the opening of multiple branches.

“Mark’s leadership, strategic vision, and embodiment of our culture and core values have played a pivotal role in the success of LandCare’s Central Division growth and the cultivation of a strong group of leaders under his guidance,” said Mike Bogan, CEO. “I am confident that in his new role he will continue to drive our company forward.”

The company also promoted Zach Belcher to the company’s central division as its divisional vice president. In his

Zach Belcher

new role, Belcher will oversee the company’s business in Oklahoma and Texas.

In 2019, Belcher joined LandCare as the market vice president of Texas South, overseeing branches in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

“Zach has displayed a level of commitment to the professional development of his teams that has not only fostered strong bonds among the branches but has also highlighted his effectiveness as a leader,” said Mark Hopkins, chief operating officer. “I am confident that in his new role as the divisional vice president, he will successfully drive excellence and passion within the central division.”

Bobcat compact loader inventors inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat skid-steer loader), were formally inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF). The Keller brothers were posthumously recognized during the NIHF Illumination and Induction Ceremonies held Oct. 25-26 in Washington, D.C.

NIHF annually recognizes inventors, promotes creativity and advances the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Bobcat representatives, along with members of the Keller family, were in attendance.

“The ingenuity of the Keller brothers spurred the compact equipment industry,” said Mike Ballweber, president, Doosan Bobcat North America. “Today at Bobcat, their spirit of inventiveness lives on, as our organization continues to innovate for the jobsite of the future and empower our customers to accomplish more.”

In the 1950s, the Keller brothers operated a small machinist-blacksmith shop in Minnesota, building and repairing machinery for local farmers. A farmer approached them with a need for a self-propelled loader light enough to be lifted to the second floor of a turkey barn and small enough to clean around the barn’s upright poles. In 1957, the Kellers built a three-wheeled loader with two drive wheels in front and a caster wheel in the rear — the precursor to the modern skid-steer loader.

The loader came to the attention of Melroe Manufacturing Company (now Bobcat Co.), which was awarded exclusive manufacturing rights to the machine on a royalty basis. Melroe hired the Kellers to refine the design and put the machine into production.

To improve the design of the loader, a second set of drive wheels was added to the back of the loader in 1960. With four-wheel drive, the M400 became the world’s first true skid-steer loader. “Skid-steer” describes the unique steering system that enables the machine to turn within its own length.

Chuck Bowen named to 40 under 40 list

Chuck Bowen, vice president of communications and member relations for The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) was named to Association Forum’s 2023 Forty Under 40 Program. The recognized individuals represent the nation’s top 40 professionals from across the association and nonprofit industries.

Association Forum selected recipients based on career accomplishments, commitment to the industry and their continued pursuit to advance the professional practice of association management.

The Forty Under 40 recipients will be celebrated during Holiday Showcase 2023 Incubate Nov. 29-30, at the Hilton Chicago.

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Have promotions or updates about your team? Send it to Editor Christina Herrick at cherrick@northcoastmedia.net, and we’ll feature it in an upcoming People on the Move.