Dan Wilkinson, President

Dan Wilkinson joined Jacobsen as president in 2005. He is responsible for overseeing all of the company's operations both in the United States and abroad. He is a highly talented executive who has made a huge impact at Jacobsen, transforming the organization into a customer-service oriented industry leader.

Wilkinson worked at General Electric for 17 years prior to his career at Textron, which began in 1997. He was formerly the director of national sales accounts at Greenlee, Textron's professional tools business, where he was responsible for customers such as The Home Depot, Grainger and Graybar. He also served as senior vice president of marketing and sales at Greenlee, developing the business' long-term strategy before being named as president of Jacobsen.

Jacobsen has always been among the leaders of turf equipment manufacturing, but under Wilkinson the company has established a reputation for reliability and unmatched dedication to customer satisfaction. He provides the cornerstone to the solid foundation that is currently in place at Jacobsen's headquarters.

Wilkinson earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Carroll College in Waukesha, WI.

Ralph Nicotera, Vice President of Sales

Ralph Nicotera is a valued member of the Jacobsen senior management team who began his career with the company in 1974. Nicotera has a vast array of experience and history of success with Jacobsen, providing a solid, well-respected voice at his position. He is responsible for leading all sales activities in the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Despite his long-standing history with Jacobsen, Nicotera is new to his current role as vice president of sales in 2007. He began his tenure with the company as a sales and marketing administrator, working his way up to director of turf and PLC sales by the time the company relocated to Charlotte, N.C. in 2001. Since that time he has served as both vice president of marketing and product management, and also vice president of market development. .

Nicotera has served Jacobsen for more than 30 years, proving himself as both a leader and a capable manager. His experience is matched only by his dedication and his drive to continually improve the Jacobsen brand through hard work and natural ability.

Ryan Weeks, Vice President of Engineering and Product Management

Ryan Weeks assumed his current role with Jacobsen in January of 2006. Responsible for directing and managing the product development of all Jacobsen product lines, he has excelled in his senior leadership position during a time when the engineering team has released several impressive technological innovations.

Weeks joined Jacobsen in 2004 as the director of product management after beginning his career with Textron in 1992. Starting as a production supervisor with McCord Winn Textron, he held roles in manufacturing, engineering, and product-line management, eventually earning his Six Sigma Black Belt certification before coming to Jacobsen in 2003.

With an innate business sense, superior communications skills and a decorated background in leadership positions, Weeks has already made significant contributions to Jacobsen's success. He is an authority on a variety of engineering issues and is an irreplaceable part of the core group of individuals poised to lead Jacobsen into the future.

Weeks earned his Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and his master's in Business Administration from Wayne State University.

Brian Melka, Director of Product Management  

Brian Melka came to Jacobsen in 2006 and made an immediate impact on the organization. In his current role, Melka is responsible for long-term product strategy of the Jacobsen turf maintenance equipment and vehicle product portfolio for golf, sports and municipal applications.

Although new to Jacobsen last year, Melka has been with Textron since 1998. He began his career at Greenlee, Textron's professional tools business, before moving to Textron's Industrial Products segment and then to the Textron corporate office as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt supporting customer leadership, strategy, communications and investor relations.

Melka has helped the company streamline its product portfolio and has proven to be a capable leader. His professionalism and skills as a manager provide Jacobsen with a bright future and a solid foundation for continued success.

He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's of Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.        

About Jacobsen
Jacobsen manufactures a full range of turf maintenance equipment and vehicles for golf courses, sports fields, and municipal grounds applications. The company markets Jacobsen brand products internationally through an extensive independent distribution network, and Ransomes brand products through independent distribution in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Jacobsen is a Textron company with headquarters in Charlotte, NC. Additional information is available at www.jacobsen.com.

About Textron
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at  www.textron.com.