BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Toro Co. (NYSE: TTC) announces that its Board of Directors has elected Richard M. Olson, Toro’s President and Chief Operating Officer, to the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The addition of Olson brings the Toro Board of Directors to 10 members.

Olson has served as Toro’s President and Chief Operating Officer since September 2015. He joined Toro in 1986 and spent his first 14 years in increasing leadership roles in operations, including as a Commercial Engineering Program Manager, Director of Plant Operations at Toro’s facility in Shakopee, Minn., and Managing Director of Northern Manufacturing Operations. Olson has held a number of executive positions in Toro’s businesses, including as Vice President, Exmark, Vice President, International Business, and Group Vice President, International Business, Micro-Irrigation Business and Distributor Development.

Olson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology from Iowa State University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

“The rich company knowledge and broad experience that Rick has gained through his leadership of our businesses and manufacturing operations provide him with a unique strategic perspective and we are pleased to have him join the Board,” said Michael J. Hoffman, Toro’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.