About Briggs & Stratton

Kristina Cerniglia
Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, Briggs & Stratton

In July 2024, Kristina Cerniglia was appointed chief executive officer. In this role, she leads day-to-day operations and sets the company's strategic, operational, and cultural agenda.

As interim chief financial officer, Kristina directs executive financial management for Briggs & Stratton's global structure. She oversees global accounting, financial planning, reporting, analyses, tax, treasury, and IT. Kristina joined the company as CFO in 2022.

Before joining Briggs & Stratton, Cerniglia spent nine years at Hillenbrand, Inc. as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Before Hillenbrand, Inc., she spent 26 years in the financial divisions at Stanley Black & Decker and Pratt & Whitney. Cerniglia serves on the Board of Directors for Littelfuse, Inc.

Cerniglia holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bentley University.

Mike Schlaman
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer Mike Schlaman oversees the critical HR functions, including talent acquisition, benefits, compensation, and HR technology.  He is also responsible for environmental, health and safety, and legal. Schlaman joined the company in 2023.

Before joining Briggs & Stratton, he was the chief human resource officer at Sonic Healthcare. He brings 25 years of experience as an HR leader, having worked for other Fortune 500 companies, such as GE Healthcare, Honeywell, PepsiCo, and Rockwell Automation. Schlaman is an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, teaching graduate classes at the Lubar College of Business. 

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tom Rugg
Senior Vice President and President, Energy Solutions & Power

Senior Vice President and President of Energy Solutions and Power Tom Rugg oversees both divisions’ strategic, financial, and operational performance. He joined the company in 2001.

Rugg has served in numerous senior leadership roles at Briggs & Stratton, including senior vice president of global sales and marketing, president of the Standby Power and Allmand business units, vice president of corporate development leading M&A activities, and an expatriate assignment as managing director of Southeast Asia and Australasia, overseeing growth across 12 countries.

Rugg holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Marketing and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Michelle Kumbier
Senior Vice President and President, Turf & Consumer Products and Aftermarket Parts & Service

Senior Vice President and President of Turf & Consumer Products and Aftermarket Parts & Service Michelle Kumbier oversees the strategic, financial, and operational performance of the division's brands, which include Ferris, Snapper, Billy Goat, Simplicity, Victa, and Branco. She also oversees global aftermarket parts sales and customer support across business units. She joined the company in 2022.

Before joining Briggs & Stratton, Kumbier spent more than 22 years at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, serving in various leadership roles, including as chief operating officer. Before Harley Davidson Motor Company, she spent 11 years at Kohler Company. Kumbier serves on the Board of Directors for Abbott Laboratories and Teledyne Technologies.

Kumbier holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Lakeland University.

David Frank
Senior Vice President and President, Electrification

Senior Vice President and President of Electrification David Frank oversees the brand's strategic, financial, and operational performance. He joined the company in 2016.

Frank has served in numerous senior leadership roles at Briggs & Stratton, including six years as vice president of global commercial engines and power sales and vice president of Electrification. In these roles, Frank had direct responsibility for many global sales offices. Before joining Briggs & Stratton, Frank spent 10 years at Subaru serving as chief marketing officer and vice president of sales, overseeing sales, marketing, customer service, warranty, IT and distribution for South, Central and North America. 

Frank holds a Bachelor of Organizational Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

David Dooley
Vice President and President, Allmand

Vice President and President of Allmand David Dooley oversees the brand's strategic, financial, and operational performance. He joined the company in 2021.

Before joining Briggs & Stratton, Dooley held global leadership roles, covering commercial, operations, project management, engineering, finance, human resources, and plant management. He brings over 30 years of leadership experience with global manufacturing companies such as ALFAGOMMA, Crenlo Engineered Cabs, and Donaldson Filtration Solutions.  Dooley has completed five expatriate assignments supporting global manufacturing in Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America.

Dooley holds certificates in both mechanical and electronic engineering.  During his military service, he also attended the Royal School of Military Engineering in the United Kingdom.