Industry icon, MIC Board member retires

Powersports industry icon Arnold W. Ackerman has retired after many years of service, stepping away from his seat on the Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors, his chairmanship of the MIC Aftermarket/Allied Trades Committee, and being active in numerous, far-ranging MIC committees. His decision to step aside was influenced by the need to be with his wife, diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

“I’ve been honored to be part of the MIC, which led to such efforts as fighting the lead-ban on youth-model dirt bikes and ATVs, aftermarket accessory sales regulation, and positive marketing related efforts such as the creation of AIMExpo,” Ackerman said. “For the past decade, the MIC has been at the forefront of these important efforts and initiatives, and I was pleased to be engaged. The industry is now being challenged on a number of fronts and the MIC is well-positioned to assist in addressing them. I’m confident the MIC board and the MIC staff will continue in these endeavors.”

Ackerman is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast with more than 18 years of work in the powersports industry. In 2000, he founded MAG, a group made up of many of today’s great motorcycle industry brands, representing segments in dirt/off-road, street, the V-Twin segment, all-terrain vehicles and recreational off-highway vehicles, also known as side-by-sides.

“You don’t often see an amazing career like Arnie’s,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “He’s a giant in our industry and has long been a tremendous supporter of the MIC associations, the two- and four-wheel safety organizations, and a close collaborator on so many important initiatives and projects. We’re really going to miss him, and we offer our deepest thanks for his incredible history of work. He’s a legend, a genuine enthusiast to his core, and a rider who has done so much for fellow motorcyclists everywhere.”