World-Class Lumberjack Erin LaVoie Named STIHL Spokesperson
LaVoie Selected to Launch STIHL MS 441 Street Boss® Custom Motorcycle

Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100

SPOKANE, Wash. - She was never just an ordinary little girl. Though she may disagree if you call her a tomboy, she doesnt deny that she was a star baseball pitcher in boys Little League. She hunts, fishes and puts out large-scale forest fires in her leisure. She has worked as a logger during her summer vacations from college and, oh yeah, she is one of the best competing professional lumberjills in the world.

Erin LaVoie doesnt have the word “cant” in her vocabulary, “The word cant just means I wont.”

“I have never been afraid to try anything as long as Im prepared for it,” said the newest spokesperson for STIHL and the new MS 441 Street Boss® custom chopper. “Ive never modeled before, but I really liked the whole experience especially since it had STIHL and chain saws involved.”

LaVoie was selected by STIHL who wanted to show that there are women in the logging business who are at the top of their profession in the forestry industry. “Its an industry like any other where women and men work side by side to get the job done,” she said.

Today, LaVoie is a world-class chopper and sawyer who has recently returned from the World Championships in Sydney, Australia. Competing in the single buck saw, stock saw and underhand chop, she is considered to be one of the best in the world.

Growing up in Spokane, Wash., she had a very typical girls life. “I hung out with all the girls doing girl stuff; but when it came to competing, it was with the boys.” And, they didnt like it when LaVoie would reign on any field of competition.

After her high school career in gymnastics ended as a champion, she became a forestry student at Spokane Community College. LaVoie watched some lumberjack competitions at the collegiate level and said, “Hey, I can do that.”

In her first competition as a junior varsity lumberjack team member she not only won the Junior Varsity (JV) events but was also the best among all the female varsity competitors. “I joined the team four days before the competition and practiced five hours a day. It came very easy to me, so I just enjoyed each contest and won,” she said.

And she didnt stop winning. At every collegiate meet, the top female is picked and given special recognition by being named either “Belle of the Woods” or “Top Lumberjill,” She grabbed the title at every competition during her career except for one. “I was really sick that day but couldnt let the team down so I had to compete,” she is quick to add.

LaVoie turned pro before her senior year in college and her first event was the Ironjack Championships in Texas. She was the youngest competitor in the field and finished first in the qualifier and was the overall runner up in the finals. She was invited to the prestigious world championships in Hayward, Wisc. by STIHL Ironjack legend, Rob Scheer. “That was the beginning of a career that keeps me busy competing all over the world,” she said.

Now, she is a regular at the ESPN Great Outdoor Games and many other professional competitions. But her time off is spent hunting and fishing with her Labrador, Cody, in the deep woods in the state of Washington.

“Competing professionally allows me the time to get back to nature. I love what I do and relish the chance to speak about our industry whenever I can,” said LaVoie. “A lot of times people will say, you sure dont look like a lumberjack. I just ask them, What is a lumberjack supposed to look like? Come to a ladies competition, you might be surprised.”

LaVoie says shell compete as long as her body holds out. “Maybe even one day, youll see me on the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series.”

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.

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