Michael Happe, a veteran Toro Company executive, has been selected to become the new president and CEO of Winnebago Industries Inc.
Winnebago, founded in 1958 and based in Forest City, Iowa, is a leading manufacturer of recreation vehicles such as motor homes and travel trailers.
Happe said in a statement that he was honored to join the company and that it has "an iconic brand with a strong culture."
Happe has worked with Toro for 19 years in several leadership positions, including his current job as executive officer and group vice president of the residential and contractor businesses.
Concurrent with the appointment, Winnebago announced it will expand its "corporate footprint" in the Twin Cities area.
Marketing manager Kelli Harms said in an interview that the details are yet to be determined, but in general the company envisions an office, not a manufacturing plant, that will be closer to some of Winnebago's key vendors and dealers in Minnesota and across Canada.
The expansion, she said, is not expected to result in significant changes in employment in any of Winnebago's other locations, which include satellite manufacturing facilities at Charles City and Lake Mills, Iowa, and Middlebury, Ind.
Happe earned a master's degree at the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and will succeed Winnebago's interim CEO Larry Erickson, who will remain chairman of the company's board of directors.
