HHI Spirit of Life® Honorees
Maria Ford
President, US Commercial & Industrial Sales & Marketing
Stanley Black & Decker
Maria Ford serves as President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales for Stanley Black & Decker, where she leads one of the company's largest commercial organizations, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar business serving the commercial and industrial construction marketplace. In this role, she is responsible for accelerating revenue growth, expanding market share, strengthening strategic customer relationships, and driving profitable growth across the construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.
With nearly three decades of experience at Stanley Black & Decker, Maria has built a distinguished career defined by customer-centric leadership, operational excellence, and business transformation. Since joining the company as a sales intern in 1998, she has held leadership positions across sales, product management, end-user marketing, channel marketing, and commercial strategy, developing a deep understanding of the evolving needs of contractors, distributors, industrial end users, and strategic partners.
Throughout her career, Maria has championed strategic partnerships that create value across the construction ecosystem. She works closely with national and regional distributors, contractors, and industry leaders to deliver innovative solutions powered by Stanley Black & Decker's iconic brands, including DEWALT, LENOX, and PROTO. Her leadership has strengthened customer engagement, accelerated commercial innovation, and enhanced productivity and safety outcomes on jobsites across North America.
Known for building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and collaboration, Maria is passionate about developing talent and empowering the next generation of leaders. She is recognized for guiding organizations through changing market dynamics while maintaining an unwavering focus on customer success, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
As a respected leader within the construction and industrial sectors, Maria frequently collaborates with manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and industry organizations to help shape solutions that address the evolving needs of skilled trades professionals and commercial end users. Her leadership philosophy centers on creating lasting value through innovation, partnership, execution excellence, and a relentless commitment to winning as one team.
Beyond her commercial leadership responsibilities, Maria is a passionate advocate for the skilled trades and workforce development across the construction industry. She is particularly committed to advancing opportunities for women in construction and manufacturing, championing initiatives that increase awareness, access, and career pathways for the next generation of tradespeople. Through her industry involvement and leadership platform, Maria actively works to elevate the visibility of the trades as rewarding and impactful careers while helping foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the future of the industry.
Maria believes the future of the industry depends on attracting, developing, and empowering diverse talent, ensuring the skilled trades remain a vibrant and rewarding career path for generations to come.
Maria earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola University Maryland, where she competed as a Division I lacrosse student-athlete. The lessons learned on the field, including discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and a relentless commitment to excellence, became the foundation of her leadership philosophy. Today, those principles continue to influence her approach to building high-performing teams, developing future leaders, and delivering results through collaboration and shared accountability. She is a member of the Forbes Business Council and serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. Throughout her career, she has also contributed to industry organizations, including ISA, supporting initiatives focused on workforce development, leadership advancement, and industry growth.
Maria resides in Maryland with her children, Caroline and Declan. Outside of work, she enjoys golf, travel, and giving back to her community through youth development, mentoring, and coaching initiatives.
Michelle Newland
EVP & Chief Global & Retail Officer
Oatey
Michelle Newland serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Retail and International Officer for Oatey Company and is a member of the company’s executive leadership team. She leads Oatey’s Retail and International businesses, with responsibility for profitable growth, strategic customer relationships and expansion across domestic and global markets.
During her three-decade career with Oatey, Michelle has held positions of increasing responsibility across purchasing, marketing and sales. A defining focus of her career has been the growth of Oatey’s retail business, where she has helped build enduring partnerships with leading home improvement retailers and strengthen the company’s position in the retail channel.
Michelle also leads Oatey’s International business, bringing the same customer-focused approach to a broader global market. With Oatey products distributed in more than 50 countries, she is focused on deepening customer partnerships and identifying opportunities for continued international growth.
Beyond Oatey, Michelle serves as a part-time adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College, where she brings practical commercial and leadership experience into the classroom.
Michelle is deeply committed to City of Hope and the home improvement industry’s philanthropic efforts. She joined City of Hope’s National Hardware/Homebuilding Industry Executive Council in 2016 and has served as Chair since 2022, working with leaders across retail, manufacturing and distribution to advance City of Hope’s mission.
She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Animal Protective League and remains active in the Northeast Ohio community.
Dennis Trine
Owner
Champion Power Equipment
Forty-eight years ago, Dennis Trine took his first job in the home hardware industry. He couldn't have known then that the road from managing logistics and distribution, through years in sales, would lead to the founding of his own company. But in 2003, that's exactly what he did, launching Champion Power Equipment and bringing outdoor power equipment to retail partners across the USA and Canada.
Champion has since grown into a world-class brand and an industry leader in market share. Dennis, true to form, will unambiguously tell you it could only have happened with dedicated people committed to quality, customer service, and "always doing the right thing!"
This year was penciled in as his retirement. Well, the pencil broke. Dennis will be deeply involved with City of Hope fundraising events through 2027, and he's genuinely excited to serve as an ambassador for an organization he holds in such high regard.
His commitment extends well beyond his career. Dennis sits on the advisory board of World Help, a faith-based humanitarian organization bringing help and hope to more than 59 nations worldwide, and on the Foundation Board of Long Beach Rescue Mission in Southern California.
Home is Orange County, California, where Dennis and his wife of 47 years have raised three children who've given them six grandchildren. And while he's proud of everything Champion has become, Dennis will tell you his true calling was much simpler: he was born to be a grandfather!