Chris Keffer

Chris Keffer is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Apex Tool Group, a leading manufacturer of professional hand and power tools. He brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the global professional tools and outdoor power equipment industries.

Mr. Keffer is a highly accomplished operator with deep industry expertise, a global commercial mindset, and a proven ability to lead and scale world-class brands.

He most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of STIHL Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Andreas STIHL GmbH, where he was responsible for strategic direction, commercial leadership, and P&L ownership across a North American business with more than $2.5 billion in revenue and approximately 2,700 employees. Mr. Keffer oversaw the significant expansion of the brand’s e-commerce platform and go-to-market channels with independent servicing dealers, delivering above-market growth across key categories including STIHL’s handheld outdoor equipment, mower, and aftermarket businesses, and earning the Ace Hardware Vendor of the Year award in 2023.

Prior to STIHL, Mr. Keffer spent 27 years at Stanley Black & Decker in a series of progressively senior leadership roles spanning global brand development, product innovation, and commercial leadership across the company's Power Tools and Power Tools Accessories division, including as President of the Power Tools Group and President of the Power Tools Accessories Group. During his tenure, he played a central role in developing globally recognized product platforms including the DEWALT 20-volt MAX system and FLEXVOLT®, the world's first convertible voltage battery.

Mr. Keffer currently serves as an independent Director of Trex Company (NYSE: TREX) and has past board-level experience with the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. He holds an Executive MBA and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Loyola University Maryland.