STIHL Inc. Names Stephen Ballenger Vice President of Operations

Words: Lindsy ShrewberrySTIHL Inc. is pleased to welcome Stephen Ballenger as the new vice president of operations in the U.S. Ballenger will be responsible for all production operations at the more than one million square foot corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach, VA where the company produces more than 275 models of handheld outdoor power equipment. His role will include directing manufacturing, engineering, materials and procurement, logistics, buildings, maintenance and quality assurance activities.

Ballenger brings more than 30 years of engineering and manufacturing expertise and leadership experience to STIHL, most recently serving as president of Light Vehicles USA for Metalsa in Elizabethtown, Ky. Previous leadership experience includes positions at Carl Zeiss, Hella and a 15-year career with Bosch North America.

“Stephen has the depth of knowledge and experience to lead our manufacturing operations here in Virginia Beach. His extensive background running large scale, modern manufacturing facilities in the U.S. make him a natural fit for STIHL,” said Bjoern Fischer, president of STIHL Inc. “We welcome him to STIHL Inc. and are confident he will continue to drive our business forward.”

“STIHL Inc. has an exceptional reputation for high quality, cutting edge technology and product performance, but it’s the people behind the products that really drew me to the company,” said Ballenger. “The passion and commitment of STIHL employees is clearly evident. I look forward to being a part of the team and continuing the tradition of excellence.”

Ballenger has a Master of Science in industrial management and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Clemson University.
No Shortcuts: The Journey of Real Stone
February 2026

Have you ever stopped and really thought about how that stone on the wall got there? I don’t mean the install...not the mortar, the scratch coat, or the clean-up. I mean the whole journey. From the first cut in the earth to the

Rob McKay
Technical Talks
Read More
Stop Gambling on the Wall: Why the Modern Jobsite Demands a Sure Thing
February 2026

If you have spent any time walking the carpeted aisles of the World of Concrete, you know the vibe. It is a sensory overload of heavy machinery, slick demos, and the collective optimism of thousands of contractors. We are in Las Vegas, the gambling capita

Shayne Sanders
Technical Talks
Read More
Helical Beaming: Strengthening Masonry from the Inside Out
February 2026

In the world of masonry restoration and retrofit, the goal is always the same: preserve the character and craftsmanship of historic structures while ensuring their long-term stability. But anyone who has worked on century-old brick or stone buildings know

Tiffany Tillema
Technical Talks
Read More
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction
February 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America is thrilled to announce the 2026 Annual Online Auction, the masonry industry’s premier event for scoring the best equipment at a fraction of costs. Whether you are looking to expand your equipment stockpile or

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More