The American-German Institute (AGI) of the renowned Johns Hopkins University has honored Dr Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Advisory Board and Supervisory Board of STIHL, with the Global Leadership Award 2024. The award was presented at a gala dinner on 12 June in New York and recognizes Dr. Stihl’s enduring positive influence on the German-American partnership as STIHL marks the 50th anniversary of its manufacturing presence in the United States. For over ten years, Dr. Nikolas Stihl has chaired the advisory and supervisory boards of the STIHL Group, setting the company’s path for worldwide growth and a strengthened position in the United States.
As the grandson of the founder of STIHL, Dr. Stihl embodies the qualities of German economic engagement—tradition and innovation—that have made the STIHL presence in the United States such a success.
“Through Dr. Nikolas Stihl’s leadership, STIHL has continued to succeed in a challenging international environment through innovation and investment in sustainable and future-focused technology. STIHL is an example of the best of German-American economic cooperation,” said Martin Richenhagen, Chairman of the AGI Board of Trustees.
Dr. Stihl joins AGI’s list of distinguished AGI Global Leadership Award recipients, such as the former German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel.
“As the leader of a global brand with deep roots in Germany and a 50-year presence in the United States, it is an honor to be recognized by the only research institute in the United States that focuses exclusively on the German-American relationship,” said Dr. Stihl.
AGI inaugurated the Global Leadership Award in 1994 as part of the Institute’s mission to strengthen ties between the United States and Germany. The Award recognizes the achievements of business and government leaders who have advanced the transatlantic partnership. Germany is a key partner of the United States in its most important international relationships: in transatlantic trade, within the NATO security alliance, and beyond.
Brad Johnson promoted at Spring Green
Spring Green has promoted Brad Johnson from vice president of franchise operations to brand president of Spring Green.
Brad Johnson joined Spring Green in 2020, bringing 20-plus years of franchise operations and leadership experience. Johnson started with Spring Green while the world was in the midst of a pandemic, but he quickly adapted, building strong relationships with franchise owners and his team despite the challenge at the time of having to do so in a virtual environment.
His leadership was recognized immediately, and he played a critical role in helping franchise owners navigate the challenges of the time and enhancing our support systems as conditions normalized. Brad's oversight of the Franchise Operations Team has had a direct impact on the success of the franchise owners they support, as the average Spring Green franchise has grown by 55 percent over the four years since he started with the company.
"I am honored to take on the role of President at Spring Green," says Johnson. "I look forward to continuing our work to support and grow our franchise owners' businesses, driving, unit-level profitability and ensuring our collective success."
Brad Johnson
WorkWave appoints new CEO
WorkWave, a provider of SaaS software solutions that support every stage of a field service business's life cycle, has appointed Kevin Kemmerer as CEO. Kemmerer joins WorkWave on the heels of his role as CEO at Brightly Software, an enterprise asset management company, which was acquired by Siemens in 2022.
"WorkWave's journey over the last three years has been very impressive, quadrupling the company in size while expanding margins and acquiring multiple industry-leading companies," says Jesper Andersen, executive chairman of the board at WorkWave.
"We strongly believe in the company and the market opportunity, and we feel Kevin's expertise, leadership and passion will enable WorkWave to continue to accelerate growth and serve its customers with the best software and services available."
Kemmerer has over 30 years of experience in software and has been instrumental in leading and growing a broad range of high-quality software businesses throughout his career. He has sat on numerous boards of directors, held positions within software consultancy organizations and has extensive experience working with private equity firms. His strong product background, combined with his passion for technologies that help solve problems in the most efficient ways, will take WorkWave into its next stages of growth as it prioritizes delivering customers solutions that help solve the industry's biggest challenges.
"I am honored to take on the role of president at Spring Green," Johnson says. "I look forward to continuing our work to support and grow our franchise owners' businesses, driving, unit-level profitability and ensuring our collective success."
