Stihl Southeast, Inc. announces new director of sales

Stihl Southeast, Inc., distributor of Stihl outdoor power equipment for Florida, Georgia, Alabama and portions of the Caribbean, announced Sept. 3 that Mark Bixler has been named director of sales, beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Bixler brings a wealth of sales and management experience to the position, currently serving as territory manager for Southeast Florida and the Caribbean Islands. He will oversee the Stihl Southeast sales team, replacing Ward Brooks, who announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2014.

In addition to his current role at Stihl Southeast, Bixler previously held sales and management positions with various security companies in South Florida, most recently with Stanley Convergent Security Solutions. He also served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years. “I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” said Bixler. “I know I have some big shoes to fill with Ward’s departure, and I am well aware our Stihl retailers are accustomed to receiving superior service from our distributorship. I am confident that, as a team, Stihl Southeast will continue to provide the support needed for our customers to remain successful and profitable.”

“Mark has been responsible for managing a very challenging territory in Southeast Florida and has done a remarkable job over the past four years,” said Bob Noble Jr., president of Stihl Southeast. “We had a number of qualified candidates for this position, and this was, perhaps, the most difficult decision I have had to make in my tenure here. Mark’s management history, both in the military and in his previous positions, will serve Stihl Southeast well as we continue to grow and manage our sales team.”