Polaris announces organizational changes

PowersportsBusinessAugust 19, 2011

Polaris Industries Inc. has announced several leadership changes geared at focusing on international markets.

“The transition strengthens the company as we continue to explore business opportunities around the globe and puts our leaders in positions to further grow and develop to meet these challenges,” CEO Scott Wine said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented team of people at Polaris. Our deep reservoir of strong leaders allows us to make changes from a position of strength, which will maximize both the potential of the company and our executive leaders.”

Matt Homan will take on the newly created role of vice president of EMEA, leading the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa business. He will focus on developing organic and inorganic growth opportunities in the region. Homan, who served as vice president and general manager of the Off-Road Vehicle business, started with Polaris in 2002 as the ATV marketing manager.

Mike Dougherty has been named the vice president of Asia Pacific and Latin America. He is charged with overseeing business in all countries outside the EMEA region, particularly concentrating on Brazil, India and China. Dougherty has severed in several internationally focused positions since joining Polaris in 1998. He also once led the ATV business.

Dave Longren, formerly the vice president and CTO of Engineering, will lead the entire Off-Road Vehicle business as vice president of ORV and ORV engineering. He will continue to oversee the Bobcat adjacency and Polaris’ Defense efforts.

Scott Swenson has accepted the position of vice president of the Small Vehicle business and Parts, Garments & Accessories. Swenson will be charged with the GEM business, PG&A and play a leadership role in commercializing related Powertrain technologies from Polaris’ Swissauto business, as well as lead the company’s retail financials services group. Swenson joined Polaris in 1998 as assistant treasurer and has been working in the Snowmobile business for the past five years. He has also worked in PG&A.

Mike Jonikas, now the vice president of the Snowmobile business and Sales & Corporate Marketing, is charged with the growth of the Snowmobile business, as well as leading development of a new organic business adjacency initiative. Jonikas started his Polaris career in 2000 as director of ATV Marketing & Product Development, and has played a key role in the company’s MVP program.

Steve Menneto has been promoted to vice president of Motorcycles and will oversee the Victory and Indian motorcycle business. He rose from district sales manager to general manager of Victory Motorcycles between 1997-2009.

Steve Kemp will take on the role of CTO of Engineering, with oversight of all product lines including Off-Road Vehicles. He has been one of Polaris’ directors of engineering since 2009 and had 26 years of product development experience before joining Polaris.

Steve Cohoon, director of ATV Engineering, has been promoted to general manager of Powertrain and senior director of Snow Engineering. He succeeds Allan Hurd in the Powertrain role, as Hurd has declared his intent to retire.