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Every summer since 2004, the 50th anniversary year for Polaris, a group of outstanding contributors to the company’s success have been recognized with induction into the Polaris Hall of Fame.
Honorees include the company’s three original partners, several long-time employees, numerous outstanding Polaris dealers and distributors, and a host of business partners such as component suppliers.
Who will be the 2010 inductees? The announcement won’t be made until this summer’s national sales meeting. Until then, review the illustrious list of inductees to date and see if you know an employee, dealer or supplier whose contributions have gone above and beyond.
Hall of Fame History
The Polaris Hall of Fame was established in 2004 as the company celebrated its 50th anniversary. Eleven inductees were honored in 2004, including the company’s three founding partners – Edgar Hetteen, David Johnson and the late Allan Hetteen – as well as All Polaris Customers, who were honored for their support of Polaris and their passion for riding.
In most years since then, five contributors have been inducted each year.
The text that appears here describing each inductee is what appeared on their Hall of Fame plaques. Each inductee receives a plaque, and duplicate plaques are displayed at the Polaris Experience Center in Roseau, Minnesota, where the company was incorporated in 1954.
2009 Polaris Hall of Fame inductees
ROBERT S. “BOB” MOE
Robert S. “Bob” Moe was the financial rudder for Polaris following the 1981 purchase of the company from Textron by a Polaris management group. Bob was general manager of Textron Financial Corporation when Textron put Polaris up for sale. He helped convince Textron officials to sell to the management group rather than liquidate Polaris, and the result was a win-win for Textron and the “new” Polaris. From 1981-1992, he was Executive Vice President and Treasurer at Polaris, providing fiscal expertise and sound judgment that enhanced the company’s growth, profitability and financial stability. Following his retirement from the company, he served on the Polaris Board of Directors from 1994-2002. Providing insight and wisdom, Bob had a vastly influential role in Polaris gaining its financial independence and evolving into a strong, diversified international manufacturer.
MITCHELL JOHNSON
Mitchell Johnson grew up with Polaris and became a leading contributor to the company’s product development and business growth. The son of David Johnson, one of the company’s founders, Mitchell began working at Polaris as a boy, doing odd jobs after school and on weekends. After earning an engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he joined Polaris as engine R&D manager and went on to contribute significantly to the engineering of Polaris snowmobiles, ATVs, RANGERs and watercraft. He led the team that created the breakthrough Sportsman ATV, which has sold more than 1 million units and is the most successful and most copied ATV in history. Mitchell became General Manager of the ATV Division in 1996, and in five years oversaw introduction of numerous highly successful vehicles, including the Polaris RANGER and Polaris Youth ATV. During his term as GM, ATV division sales more than doubled.
BTD MANUFACTURING
Since 1981, BTD Manufacturing has provided Polaris with superb service and top-quality components that have enhanced the performance and reliability of Polaris vehicles. The strong partnership began in 1981 with BTD providing Polaris with snowmobile tunnel dies, and evolved into BTD producing components such as metal stampings, weldments and tube fabricating for all types of vehicles. BTD has consistently demonstrated a focus on quality, sense of innovation and ability to adapt to rapidly changing Polaris needs and production schedules. This has made the Detroit Lakes, Minnesota-based company one of the Polaris Top 25 Suppliers, and an invaluable partner. Working closely with Polaris manufacturing teams in Osceola and Roseau, the BTD staff provides key components on time and on demand, enabling Polaris to maintain production schedules. A wholly owned subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation, BTD has delivered Hall of Fame performance as a key, long-time Polaris supplier.
BILL’S SERVICE CENTER
Bill Dahlke and his wife Barb opened Bill’s Service Center in Stratford, Wisconsin, in 1977, and have provided motorsports enthusiasts in Central Wisconsin with over 30 years of great products and exceptional customer service. In terms of vehicles, Bill’s has sold only Polaris snowmobiles, off-road vehicles and Victory Motorcycles since becoming a Polaris dealership in 1980. The staff at Bill’s, some of whom have worked there for 10 or even 20 years, share Bill and Barb’s passion for riding, and in their free time, they are usually out riding. Bill and his factory-trained technicians deliver the highest-quality repair and maintenance work, and they will go the extra mile to acquire parts or accessories for customers who are eager to ride. It’s rare that Bill and his staff don’t know a customer by name, and it’s common for those customers to recommend the dealership and its stellar customer service to their friends.
EGIDIO MOTTA
Egidio Motta and his distribution company, Egimotors SRL, have been instrumental in the growth of Polaris international business during the company’s 15 years as Polaris distributor for Italy and Austria. Egidio provides Polaris with distribution experience and a thorough understanding of the motorsports business in Europe. He got started in the business as a teenager and has operated his own distribution company for more than 20 years. The Egimotors team has developed a thriving network of over 60 Polaris dealers who are generating strong sales of Polaris on- and off-road vehicles, including Polaris snowmobiles and Victory Motorcycles. Along with distributing Polaris ATVs, RANGERs and RZRs for off-road use, Egimotors modifies these vehicles for use as street-legal quadricycles. The company began modifying vehicles into quadricycles in 1994, and has been responsible for European homologation of Polaris quadricycles since 2003.
2008 Polaris Hall of Fame inductees
MARLYS BRANDT
In 1964, Marlys Brandt became the first woman employee at Polaris and for 40 years she provided the company with exceptional service, loyalty, dedication and leadership. She first worked in snowmobile assembly but was best known for her exceptional work as a purchasing agent. She established excellent working relationships with suppliers and used her incredible determination and drive to continually secure the best pricing for Polaris. When she became a buyer, some skeptics doubted she could handle the job, but six months later she received the Textron honor as “Polaris Buyer of the Year.” When Polaris established its own injection molding operation in the late-1990s, she was instrumental in getting it up and running, working long hours and serving as its purchaser, scheduler and warehouse supervisor. She retired in June 2003 after 40 years with Polaris. A former snowmobile racer and a lifelong resident of Roseau, Marlys has set the standard for loyalty to her town, to Polaris and especially to her family, including her beloved late husband Edson.
MARLYS KNUTSON
For a quarter-century, Marlys Knutson has served as the voice of Polaris. After joining Polaris 1983, Marlys spent her first 14 years as Marketing Communications Manager, overseeing development of all advertising and marketing campaigns. As Corporate Communications Manager and in her current role as External Relations Manager, Marlys has been the company’s primary public spokesperson. She has directed the company’s public relations, industry relations and consumer relations. Representing Polaris in government relations, she has worked tirelessly with industry and rider groups to secure and retain land access and off-road riding rights. She directed public relations as snowmobilers contested proposed riding restrictions in National Parks and has served for more than a decade on the ISMA Snowmobile Industry Communications Committee. SnoWest Magazine had to rename its “Man of the Year” award when Marlys became the first woman ever to receive the honor, and for more than 20 years, she has led the planning and management of all Polaris sales meetings.
BOB NYGAARD
After serving as National Leasing Manager for the EZ-Go division of Textron, which owned Polaris in the 1970s, Bob Nygaard joined Polaris in 1979. Polaris maintained a lean staff at the time and Bob was given the broad title and far-reaching responsibilities of Manager of Sales, Marketing and Administration. He soon added the role of Snowmobile Apparel and Accessories Manager, and by the end of the 1980s, he had became Product Manager for ATVs and Snowmobiles. He lobbied the company to enter the personal watercraft business, and when Polaris did so in the early 1990s, Bob served as Product Manager for all three vehicle lines: Snowmobiles, ATVs and watercraft. He eventually became the General Manager of the Snowmobile Division and directed it during a highly successful 13-year run when Polaris was the industry’s market share leader. It was an era of outstanding innovation and performance for the Snowmobile Division that Bob credits to an outstanding team stretching from engineering and manufacturing through the field sales staff and Polaris dealer network. Bob retired in April 2007 after 28 years with Polaris.
RICH POLL
A dedicated Polaris employee for over 20 years, Rich Poll embodies the passion for riding and commitment to customer service that has made the brand so successful in the Western U.S. Prior to joining Polaris, Rich was Polaris Sales Manager for the company’s Utah-based distributor, Wilson Supply. His hard work and strong relationships with dealers in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming made Polaris the leading segment of Wilson’s business, and he helped Wilson earn Polaris Distributor of the Year honors before Polaris went dealer-direct in 1988. Rich spent his first decade with Polaris as one of the most successful District Sales Managers in the country. He won the “DSM of the Year” award in six of 10 years, and earned those honors for his work with each product line. He has spent the past 10-plus years as a Regional Sales Manager and Polaris has had snowmobile market share of as high as 60% in his region. In 2002, he used his excellent business relationships to gain broad media exposure for Polaris when Utah hosted the Winter Olympics.
CYCLE WORKS
Cycle Works has become one of North America’s leading motorsports businesses based on the strength of two generations of excellent leadership. In 1980, longtime snowmobile and motocross racing teammates Ed McDonald and Don Galloway launched a retail business focused on performance products and parts. They quickly became Polaris snowmobile dealers and in the mid-1980s they added Polaris ATVs upon their introduction. With their excellent reputation throughout the region and a competitive drive groomed through years of racing, the founders built Cycle Works into one of Canada’s top dealerships. Ten years ago Ed sold his interest to Jim Zanello and Ron Christie. These two – along with strong leadership from partners such as President Jim Roth, Cycle Works Calgary G.M. Vince Aiello and Cycle Works West Sales Manager Joe Zaik – have dramatically expanded and elevated the business. Cycle Works now operates multiple dealerships in Alberta, each of which is a state of the art retailing facility. The staff’s riding passion combined with management’s savvy leadership has Cycle Works poised for continued growth going forward.
RIDERSVILLE CYCLE
For over 23 years, Harold and Dawn Unger have helped West Virginia riders find “The Way Out” by providing exceptional customer service, equipping vehicles to suit riders’ needs and by leading the way down the trail and the open road. The Ungers are avid riders so they’re out with their customers on their days off, carving trails, going through knee-deep mud and riding Victory Motorcycles. Harold is a long-time off-road enthusiast known for racing and riding dirt bikes and ATVs every chance he gets. At their Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, dealership, the Ungers have invested to continually upgrade their facility, staff training and customer resources to provide riders with the best buying and riding experiences. Their commitment to, and reinvestment in the business is reflected in their stellar sales performance as they have become one of the nation’s Top 5 Polaris dealerships. Along with their riding passion, they are also trailblazers in business: They became Polaris ATV dealers when the product line was launched in 1985, and they later became charter Victory Motorcycle dealers. For over two decades, area riders have known they can count on Ridersville Cycle for everything from riding gear and performance work to riding suggestions.
D. NEGATTA AND KOKUSAN DENKI
D.Nagata and Kokusan Denki have been instrumental in the development of Polaris ATV, snowmobile and side-by-side engines that deliver outstanding performance, reliability and durability. As a major business partner of Kokusan, D.Nagata has used its vast international business expertise to bring together Kokusan and the Polaris Powertrain group, two parties with a shared product goal. Kokusan has invested in successful new product development and is a first choice supplier of electrical components used on Polaris engines. These components include sophisticated Engine Control Units, ignition controls, engine controls, flywheel stators and many more. Kokusan products have allowed the Polaris Powertrain team to develop engines that deliver exceptional performance, efficient operation and long-riding reliability in off-road environments. In addition, Kokusan personnel provide on-site technical support in Polaris design, development and assembly facilities to ensure the application, fit and function of their products. D.Nagata and Kokusan Denki have contributed greatly as Polaris has developed industry-leading performance in numerous vehicles.
2007 Polaris Hall of Fame inductees
CHUCK BAXTER
It’s highly unlikely that any chief of Polaris engineering will oversee as much phenomenal product development and diversification as Chuck Baxter saw in his 30 years with the company. Chuck joined Polaris in 1970 as a Project Engineer and rose through the engineering ranks to the role of Vice President of Engineering and Product Safety with 300 employees in his chain of command. His management style was to give his staff freedom – the freedom to think big and pursue product advancements that represented leaps of improvement, not mere steps. Chuck was the primary driving force in encouraging company management to enter the ATV business, which Polaris did in 1985. Under Chuck’s guidance, the Polaris engineering team grew and evolved, adopting cutting edge design and development tools and successfully launching the company into the utility vehicle, watercraft and motorcycle businesses. An avid rider with a love of challenging terrain, Chuck infused the engineering team with his passion for the riding experience and “The Way Out.”
MARY ZINS
As Human Resources Manager for nearly 25 years, Mary Zins made a positive impact on the lives of Polaris employee and their families. When Polaris was reborn as a privately held company in the early 1980s, Mary helped shape its innovative compensation plan. As the company fought to survive in a then-depressed snowmobile business, she helped develop the Polaris approach of rewarding employees based on years of service and sharing in the company’s success. She oversaw implementation of the Polaris profit sharing and 401K plans, maintained outstanding benefits packages and managed personnel as the company expanded and made acquisitions. As head of recruiting, she brought many outstanding talents into the Polaris family. Always volunteer-oriented and involved in community affairs, Mary oversaw the creation of the Polaris Foundation and served as its President, and also served as Polaris Manager of Community Relations.
ACTION MOTOR SPORTS
Since 1989, Action Motor Sports has been the Polaris performance and service leader in Eastern Idaho and beyond. The Idaho Falls dealership owned by Kris Wright and Jo McKnight is staffed by motorsports enthusiasts with a passion for the riding experience. The dealership hosts several large riding events each year, but the staff’s specialty is leading small groups rides, especially into the mountains. On these rides, everyone gets to know one another and the staff ensures that every rider – new or veteran – has a great experience. At Action Motor Sports, browsers become customers and customers become friends and riding partners. The shop’s service policy virtually guarantees no rider will miss a weekend of riding, and the highly regarded service techs are enthusiasts who appreciate high-performance and deliver reliability. At Action Motor Sports, the staff lives up to the dealership’s motto: “We Take Your Fun… Seriously.”
TRUMBAUER LAWN & RECREATION
John and Sue Trumbauer of Trumbauer Lawn & Recreation in Quakertown, PA, have been Polaris snowmobile dealers since 1975 and now sell all Polaris and Victory products. Their dealership is known for its fair prices but even better known for delivering the ultimate in customer service. The Trumbauer team does whatever it takes to keep riders on the trails and the open road, enjoying ”The Way Out.” John, Sue and their staff know what riders want because they are avid riders themselves. In 2001, Sue was one of three women, all over 50, who snowmobiled coast-to-coast across Canada, and she has ridden on the Polaris WOW Relay to support breast cancer research. John has ridden on every V2V Victory Relay and he and Sue take annual motorcycle and snowmobile trips. They are long-time supporters of state and local snowmobile groups and strive to make every rider’s experience the best it can be.
INTEGRATED LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS
Having provided Polaris with fasteners and Class C production items since 1985, Integrated Logistics Solutions (ILS) has become one of the company’s most highly valued partners. ILS supplies Polaris with about 2,000 items, including innovative, efficient, cost-effective fasteners that help ensure the performance and reliability of Polaris and Victory vehicles. ILS also provides Polaris with hands-on and on-site support. ILS stations team members at Polaris production facilities to maintain manufacturing continuity, and additional ILS personnel work side-by-side with Polaris and Victory engineers developing new vehicles and accessories. To monitor inventories of the numerous products they provide to Polaris, ILS created an innovative “pay on consumption” plan: Polaris is billed only for fasteners and parts actually used on vehicles. ILS provides Polaris with much more than parts. It also provides solutions, innovation and partnership that leads to world-class products.
2006 Polaris Hall of Fame inductees
ED SKOMOROH
If passion for a job boosts productivity, it’s easy to see why Ed Skomoroh made so many significant contributions to Polaris. No one was more passionate about the brand and the riding experience than Ed. He joined Polaris in 1982 as General Manager of Polaris Canada and taught the dealer network and sales force to sell the fun of snowmobiling, not just the machines. In 1986, he was named Corporate Vice President and he became Corporate V.P. of Sales and Marketing in 1988. Ed helped make the Indy the sport’s best-selling snowmobile, he was the driving force behind the revolutionary Snow Check program and he helped Polaris introduce a totally new product line – ATVs. Ed was committed to developing lasting brand loyalty among consumers, and he preached the importance of “Walking The Talk” – insisting that Polaris employees and dealers ride what they sold and get involved at the grassroots level. Ed retired in 2000, but he and his wife Jean still contribute energy, insight and passion to the Polaris brand.
JIM BERNAT
During his 42 years at Polaris, Jim Bernat wore many hats in varied roles such as: painter’s helper, assembler, lead man in receiving, development engineer, field test manager and snowmobile engineering quality manager. Jim was instrumental in the development and testing of numerous Polaris vehicles, including the first Indy snowmobile and many ATVs. During his Polaris career Jim also wore many helmets. In the 1970s he was a key member of the company’s legendary factory race team, the “Midnight Blue Express,” and his many victories included the 1975 World Championship in Eagle River. Over the years he also helped direct the racing program as Assistant Race Team Manager and Manager of Racing Support. Jim was inducted into the Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame in 1991 and he retired from Polaris in 2005. When asked once how he got the nickname “Smilin’ Jim,” he said: “Because I was always on a winning team.”
BUCKY’S OUTDOORS, LLC
Bucky’s Outdoors has set the standard for the successful small dealership. The dealership opened in Pinedale, Wyoming, by Bucky Neely in 1961 has thrived because of its exceptional customer service. The staff at Bucky’s shares customers’ passion for weekend riding, so any machine that goes into the shop on Monday is ready by Friday. Bucky’s has earned a national reputation for its high-altitude snowmobile expertise and serves deep-snow riders all across the snowbelt. A Polaris dealer since 1975, Bucky’s has won numerous Presidential Awards, and is now owned and operated by Gary Neely, Bucky’s son. Gary grew up with and raced snowmobiles, and was instrumental in development of the original RMK sleds. Gary credits Bucky’s CSI score of 97 to his wife Ruth and his dedicated employees.
BRISTOW’S POLARIS
Armed with a knack for mechanics and a passion for performance, Mike Bristow opened his dealership 30 years ago in a two-stall garage. He grew quickly, especially after becoming a Polaris dealer in 1981 and proceeding to set numerous sales records from his St. Cloud, Minnesota, store. Bristow’s was the first Polaris dealership to sell 500 snowmobiles in a year and first to sell 1,000 units in a year. Mike sets aggressive goals for himself and the dealership, and achieves them through his uncanny ability to spot trends and adapt to changing market conditions. Today, Bristow’s sells all Polaris and Victory product lines from a spacious facility that is a retailing hot spot. While growing his successful powersports business, Mike was a snowmobile racer who raced in the I-500 10 times and finished second on a Polaris in 1995. All three of his sons have raced, and Bristow’s is a strong supporter of national and grassroots racing.
CASS SCREW MACHINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
The Cass Screw Machine Products Company motto is “We Go The Extra Mile,” and for over 40 years that is exactly what they have done for Polaris Industries. An industry leader in precision machining and assembly, Cass Screw Machine was founded in 1944 by Lester E. Cass, who was later joined in the business by Marvin and Dale Greenwald and Lorraine Wise. Cass Screw Machine is the longest continual supplier to Polaris, having begun building drive shafts and suspensions for Polaris snowmobiles in 1962. Today, Cass builds hundreds of components for all Polaris product lines. Cass Screw Machine is now owned and operated by Dale Greenwald, Greg Greenwald and Steve Wise, who, along with over 100 employees, continue to “Go The Extra Mile” for Polaris.
2005 Polaris Hall of Fame inductees
TOM TILLER
When Tom Tiller became President of Polaris in 1998, he immediately infused the company with his passion for innovation, product quality and leading-edge technology. His extensive background in engineering and manufacturing allowed him to challenge and inspire the Polaris product development teams. As a result, Polaris has charged into the new millennium with a series of award-winning vehicles from all divisions that deliver exceptional riding experiences. Tom was named CEO of Polaris in 1999, and he is regarded as a compassionate leader with great business skills and a keen vision for capitalizing on growth opportunities. Yet it’s his infectious passion for riding and enjoying “The Way Out” that has truly energized the entire company on its path of growth and goal of being the dominant powersports company.
KEN LARSON
Ken Larson was President of Polaris from 1988 until his retirement in 1998. He provided the company with steady and experienced leadership during a decade of unprecedented growth and diversification. During Ken’s years as President, Polaris significantly expanded its manufacturing and engineering capabilities in Roseau and opened new production facilities in Wisconsin and Iowa to support the company’s growing output. The company also branched out dramatically into new markets by introducing Polaris personal watercraft, RANGER utility vehicles and Victory Motorcycles. Ken provided astute leadership that allowed the company to expand rapidly but in a logical, manageable fashion. He steered Polaris to new heights while ensuring that the company retained it focus on core competencies and established businesses.
BOB EASTMAN
Bob Eastman was a dedicated Polaris employee from 1960 until his retirement in 2005, and he was a racing legend in the 1960s and ‘70s. Eastman joined the company as a welder and soon thereafter began testing snowmobiles. His riding skills served him well in early cross-country racing, where he helped establish Polaris models such as the Mustang, Colt and TX Series sleds as sporty, winning machines. He also enjoyed tremendous success in oval track racing, winning numerous major titles in North American snowmobile racing, including the Eagle River World Championship in 1973. He was known as an intensely competitive racer, but one who remained humble in victory. He was deeply involved in testing and product development programs, and was a key member of the teams that developed technology such as the legendary Polaris Independent Front Suspension (IFS).
TRI-CITY POLARIS
Western riders revere Tri-City Polaris for its legendary commitment to delivering premium customer service, and riders nationwide know the Tri-City name for its accomplishments in racing, hillclimbs and performance work. Tri-City has always stocked a comprehensive parts inventory and offered reliable, dependable service and repair work. The Tri-City team has also led the way in building performance, especially for enthusiasts who ride, race and hillclimb at power-robbing high elevations. The Tri-City name has graced the hoods of many a World Champion hillclimb sled, and customers throughout the West view Tri-City as the No. 1 source for mountain state performance setups. Under Owner Bob Mason and General Manager Max Maxedon, the Tri-City Polaris team has provided thousands of riders with unforgettable Polaris and Victory experiences.
BAIR’S POLARIS-VICTORY
For more than 35 years, Bair’s Polaris-Victory has provided “premium quality products at a value price” and delivered outstanding customer service for riders in northern Ohio. Since Cloyse and Deloris Cheyney purchased the dealership from founder Howard Bair in the 1970s, the Cheyney and Trussell families have developed lasting relationships with generations of customers. Brad Cheyney, Bryon Cheyney and Kim Trussell all inherited their parents’ commitment to providing solid value and exceptional service. They inspire the Bair’s team to work hard and ensure that customers enjoy their riding to the fullest. Riders appreciate that Bair’s offers small-town customer service in a major metro area, and that Bair’s provides ongoing support for area riding clubs, trail programs and events.
THE HILLIARD CORPORATION
An industry leader in motion control devices, The Hilliard Corporation teamed with Polaris to develop technology that has provided ATV riders with the industry’s premium traction systems. As Polaris developed its original all-wheel drive system (AWD) in the 1980s, Hilliard engineers devised the dual-direction over running clutches Polaris engineers sought for the ATVs’ front wheels. These unique new clutches – jointly patented by Hilliard and Polaris – allowed Polaris to successfully develop its industry-exclusive On-Demand True AWD, the most effective traction system in the business. Hilliard also teamed up with Polaris product development teams to create the Polaris Engine Braking System (EBS). Hilliard has provided Polaris with sophisticated technology, premium quality products and customer service that has created a lasting, rewarding partnership.
Charter Inductees in 2004
EDGAR HETTEEN
Edgar Hetteen was an independent-minded inventor and entrepreneur. In 1944 he established Hetteen Hoist & Derrick in Roseau, Minnesota. The business evolved into a manufacturer of innovative metal products that offered creative solutions, including farm equipment such as the highly successful Polaris Straw Chopper. In 1954, the company was incorporated as Polaris Industries and within two years it was producing Sno-Traveler snowmobiles. Edgar became a staunch believer in the new-found winter mobility the snow machines offered, and in 1960 he led a legendary crossing of Alaska on Polaris Sno-Travelers to prove the machines’ reliability and capability. The journey helped put snowmobiles – and Polaris – on the map. Polaris didn’t invent the snow machine, but it was the first manufacturer to market snowmobiles successfully, due in great part to Edgar’s passionate belief in the product.
DAVID JOHNSON
David Johnson became an original partner in Hetteen Hoist & Derrick in the mid-1940s by mailing part of his U.S. Navy paychecks home to company founder Edgar Hetteen. David completed his military duty and returned to Roseau in 1946 to become shop foreman of the company that in 1954 became Polaris Industries. David was the driving force behind the creation of the first Polaris snowmobile and he spent winter weekends in the late-‘50s demonstrating the capabilities of the early Sno-Travelers at races and winter carnivals in the Upper Midwest. On the job, David set a great example with his work ethic, humility and sincere consideration for co-workers. In 42 years with Polaris, he oversaw manufacturing in several different roles before retiring in 1988. He has been a popular ambassador for Polaris ever since.
ALLAN HETTEEN
Allan Hetteen became a partner in Polaris in 1948 and he built the company’s second Sno-Traveler in 1956. In 1960, he succeeded his older brother Edgar as president of Polaris. Allan directed the company through a period of dramatic growth in the 1960s, as it moved into new manufacturing facilities and created machines that spurred the growth of recreational snowmobiling worldwide. His earnest appeals to creditors helped the company survive the “Comet Crisis” in 1964, and Polaris was an industry leader by 1968, when he arranged the company’s sale to Textron. An advocate of snowmobile safety, noise regulation and trail networks, Allan was an early president of the snowmobile industry association. He resigned from Polaris in the early 1970s and in 1973 he died as the result of a tractor accident. He was 44.
W. HALL WENDEL, Jr.
In early 1980, Hall Wendel was promoted from Vice President of Marketing for Polaris/E-Z-Go to President of Polaris. Hall’s assignment was to find a buyer for the Polaris division since it seemed the snowmobile business had bottomed out. Hall became part of a nine-person group of Polaris managers and investors who purchased Polaris from Textron in 1981. With a focus on efficiency and low inventory – and blessed by snowy winters – Polaris rapidly regained its role as a leader in the snowmobile industry. As President and, later, CEO and Chairman of Polaris, Hall oversaw expansion into the ATV, watercraft, utility vehicle and motorcycle businesses, and company stock began trading publicly in 1987. Hall retired as CEO in May 1999, and after directing more than two decades of tremendous growth and profitability, he retired as Chairman in 2002 to pursue private interests.
RAYNOLD MONSRUD
Ray Monsrud has provided Polaris with over 35 years of hard work and selfless dedication. He was an experienced racer and rider when he joined Polaris in 1968 as a snowmobile test rider. In 1975 he began a 17-year run as Polaris Racing Director, followed by five years on the factory service staff. He led the ATV “Off-Road Show” for three years and has provided dealership service technicians with training through the “Way Out Training Tour” since March 2000. For 30 years Ray was the lead Polaris representative at the annual snowmobile media product introductions. For most of his career with Polaris, Ray has capably represented the brand to the media, dealers and consumers – all of whom have benefited from his concern for the customer, knowledge about the product and passion for the riding experience.
ORLEN JOHNSON
In 1945, Orlen Johnson was among the first employees of Hetteen Hoist & Derrick, which in 1954 became Polaris Industries. He was hired at age 14, fresh out of 8th grade, by founder Edgar Hetteen, who called Orlen “a brilliant young man who could and would do anything.” A self-taught craftsman, he was Mr. Versatility for Polaris, working as a draftsman, welder, fabricator, machinist and the original test rider of the first Polaris snowmobile in 1956. In the 1960s he was also a supplier, providing Polaris with snowmobile decals he silk-screened in his home shop. Orlen’s Polaris career was interrupted by military service in the Korean conflict, eight years of owning the Roseau Fix-It Shop and a year as the Roseau School shop teacher. But he returned to Polaris and retired from the company at age 62 after 37 years of invaluable contributions.
MIES OUTLAND
Mike Mies founded Mies Implement in Watkins, Minnesota, in 1947 and the business became a Polaris snowmobile dealership in 1965. As Polaris has diversified, so has Mies, which carries all Polaris product lines, including Victory Motorcycles. The dealership has built a loyal customer base with its exceptional customer service and the staff’s passion for riding in every season. In 2003, Mies Equipment was transformed into Mies Outdoors with a dealership makeover that now has Polaris ATVs and snowmobiles displayed on tree-lined mountains, watercraft floating in indoor pools of water and Victory Motorcycles parked on a highway running through the showroom. Mies has been a thriving, family owned and operated dealership for three generations as Tony Mies succeeded his father as owner in 1972, and Mies Outland is currently owned and operated by Tony’s sons, Jeff and Steve Mies.
HEADINGLEY SPORT SHOP
Headingley Sport Shop became a Polaris dealer in 1967 and rapidly evolved into one of the most-involved and successful dealerships in Canada. Located in Headingley, Manitoba, just outside Winnipeg, the dealership has developed a large and loyal clientele through its attention to detail and by providing exceptional customer service. Like its customers, the Headingley staff has long had a passion for riding and racing all of the products it sells. The dealership staff focuses on providing customers with everything they need for the most memorable riding experiences, including top-quality parts and service and accessories and apparel that enhance the ride. The dealership was founded by John and Gail Killbery, and John remains active in the daily success of the business. The family legacy is carried on by the Killbery daughters who manage the daily operations: PGA Manager Jody Cole and General Manager Jill Ruth.
FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Fuji has been a key Polaris partner for more than 35 years. Polaris turned to Fuji in the late-1960s for snowmobile-specific engines and Fuji delivered the first Polaris Star engines for the 1969 model year. Fuji and Polaris have worked together to pioneer innovative snowmobile engine concepts such as slide-valve carburetors, liquid-cooling, three-cylinder engines and electronic fuel injection. Fuji has also supplied Polaris with 2- and 4-stroke ATV engines and a variety of engines for watercraft and RANGER utility vehicles. To support this strong partnership, Fuji has for many years placed “resident” engineers and support technicians in Roseau to work side-by-side with Polaris engineers.
TEAM Industries
The partnership between Polaris and TEAM Industries dates back to late 1960s, when TEAM began machining clutch components for Polaris. TEAM’s expertise and spirit of teamwork proved invaluable to Polaris in the early 1980s, when the TEAM technical staff worked closely with Polaris engineers to help Polaris design, develop and produce its ATV transmission. Polaris currently counts TEAM among its largest and most vital partners as TEAM provides Polaris ATV transmissions and numerous other parts and assemblies. The most important things TEAM provides to Polaris are an enduring loyalty and spirit of cooperation. Polaris and TEAM have grown together and their shared heritage is the foundation for a continued strong partnership. TEAM Industries is a Minnesota-based company and has facilities serving Polaris in Bagley, Park Rapids, Audubon and Cambridge.
ALL POLARIS CUSTOMERS
Polaris customers are the world’s most passionate riders, and Polaris salutes all of its customers for their love of the great outdoors and their thirst for the Polaris riding experience. For five decades Polaris customers have made Polaris their choice of vehicles that provide them with access to “The Way Out.” In every season and on every type of terrain, these riders climb on board Polaris and Victory vehicles to escape the work-a-day world. Their favorite machines let them enjoy nature and celebrate the freedom of the ride with family and friends. They have cheered Polaris racing champions and helped Polaris celebrate anniversaries. They have forged lifelong friendships with Polaris dealers and they fly the Polaris and Victory logos on their vehicles, clothing and even as tattoos. Loyal, passionate Polaris customers are the primary reason the company celebrates its 50th anniversary and looks ahead to a great ride into the future.
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