An interesting shuffle of top OEM executives occurred this summer. Arctic Cat’s enigmatic Marketing VP Robert Bonev departed the company. There’s lots of talent currently in the AC Marketing Department and that’s likely why we have no word on a replacement at this writing.
The paint had barely dried on the office door of newly appointed Polaris Snowmobile Division Manager Eric Lindquist when the announcement of his replacement came across our desks. New snowmobile division boss Scott Swenson was formerly in charge of Pure Polaris (Polaris’ PGA Division). While we know very little about Scott, a genealogy search indicates he is not closely related to the Arctic Cat Swensons. We hope to have more on Scott in the next issue.
Over at BRP, Ski-Doo’s likeable VP Pierre Arsenault left the company in the early summer. Arsenault was around when the original REV hit the ground in 2002. He has been replaced by BRP veteran Yves Leduc.
A mid-summer press release from Polaris covered the appointment of Cassie Murphy from Pure Polaris (PGA Division) to manage Marketing in the snowmobile division. Murphy replaces David Johnston, no longer at Polaris. Murphy has been with Pure Polaris since its inception and has been integral to the success the brand has enjoyed.
Matt Lube, the feisty Polaris snowmobile Product Manager responsible for RMKs and father of the Switchback has returned to his native Idaho. Lube will continue to work for Polaris in a sales capacity. Current Product Manager for everything but mountain and touring sleds, Michael Erickson, will now assume command of all Polaris snowmobile product. Erickson is a personable guy who listens carefully to the market.
Finally, Polaris Snowmobile Engineering Manager John Howard has moved to Polaris’ ATV Division. His job has been assumed by John Callahan, formerly Chief Technical Officer for Polaris. We haven’t met Callahan yet but we hope to have more info on him by next issue. We’ve heard he’s a great guy and by the magnitude of his former title, we’re assuming he’s a big gun as well.
