Rick Olson was elected chairman of the board in November, 2017, and as president and chief executive officer in November 2016. Previously, he was elected president and chief operating officer in September 2015 and to the board of directors of The Toro Company in January 2016. Prior to that, he was elected group vice president, international, micro irrigation and distributor development in June 2014, and was named vice president, international in March 2013.

Olson joined Toro in 1986 as a manufacturing process engineer. He has held various positions in operations and engineering at five Toro locations—including manager of advanced manufacturing, commercial engineering program manager, director of Shakopee plant operations, and managing director of northern manufacturing operations. In 2010, he was named general manager of Exmark, and was appointed vice president of Exmark in 2012.

Olson earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology from Iowa State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management. He serves on the boards of The Toro Foundation, and the Board of Overseers of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.