News Release
Polaris Industries
2100 Highway 55
Medina, MN 55340-9770
Media Contact: Marlys Knutson
Phone: 763/542-0533
marlys.knutson@polaris.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Michael Jonikas, Polaris Industries Inc. VP, Snowmobiles and Slingshot, Retiring
Departing after 15 years of distinguished service
MINNEAPOLIS (March 23, 2015) – Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced that
Michael (Mike) Jonikas, Vice President of Snowmobiles and Slingshot, will be retiring in May of this
year.
Over the past fifteen years, Mike Jonikas has been a key leader for Polaris and the powersports industry,
and has made significant contributions to both. Jonikas began his Polaris career in 2000 as a Marketing
Director in the Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) division, then went on to become the first General Manager of
Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles, Vice President of Sales & Corporate Marketing and On Road, and finally
VP of Snowmobile and Slingshot. Under his guidance, Polaris’ snowmobile business has reached new
heights in performance - both from the vehicles themselves and from a sales perspective - while his work
with Slingshot resulted in one of the most successful product launches in Polaris history.
“Mike has been a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled business leader for Polaris over the past 15
years. During that period, he led and grew each of our vehicle businesses and transformed our sales and
corporate marketing team, contributing significantly to our success,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman &
CEO. “Quite simply, Mike worked tirelessly to make Polaris a bigger, better and stronger company, and
our gratitude and best wishes go out to Mike as he embarks on his new, more relaxing, adventures.”
“I have been privileged to work with Mike for the past 15 years,” said Bennett Morgan, Polaris President
and COO. “It is a fact that Mike’s efforts played a significant part in making Polaris the company it is
today. We owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his contributions to our business but also for the
passion and pride he brought to every leadership challenge we set before him, no matter how daunting.”
“I have worked with so many great people during my time at Polaris, and it is their passion and
commitment that I will miss the most,” remarked Jonikas. “Though I was present as Polaris broke
through the $2, $3 and $4 billion revenue barriers, launched any number of groundbreaking products, and
became a truly global business, it is the day-to-day interaction with the best team in Powersports that
always inspired me. As I leave, I am confident that the company is in great hands, and I look forward to
seeing what they will accomplish.”
Wine continued, “It is never easy to replace someone of Mike’s caliber, but we have a deep reservoir of
strong leaders ready to tackle such challenges, many of whom Mike trained himself. We have developed
a thorough succession plan for his role, and details will be forthcoming.”
About Polaris®
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2014 sales of $4.48 billion.
Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including
all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® and RZR® side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles,
motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.
Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has
established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and
Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small
electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA,
Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a
complete line of Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories and Apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV
accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands.
Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the
Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.
Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are
available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.
###
DATE:
TO:
RE:
March 18, 2015
Polaris Employees
Michael Jonikas, Vice President, Snow and Slingshot, to Retire
After 15 years with Polaris, Michael (Mike) Jonikas, Vice President, Snow and Slingshot, is retiring
effective May of this year.
Jonikas began his Polaris career in 2000 as a Marketing Director in the Off Road Vehicles (ORV)
division, and was selected to be the first General Manager of Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles in 2003. In this
role he was instrumental in creating and building Polaris’ SxS business, which has evolved into the
Company’s foremost revenue generator. In 2005, Mike was promoted to General Manager of Sales and
Corporate Marketing, and began overhauling that organization in order to modernize and professionalize
Polaris’ sales force, culminating in his rise to VP of Sales and Corporate Marketing in 2007. In 2009
Jonikas added responsibility for Polaris’ fledgling On Road Vehicles division, which he led for two years
before attaining his current title as VP, Snow and Slingshot in 2011. Under his guidance, Polaris’
snowmobile business has reached new heights in performance - both from the vehicles themselves and
from a sales perspective - while his work with Slingshot resulted in one of the most successful product
launches in Polaris history.
“Mike has been a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled business leader for Polaris over the past 15
years. During that period, he led and grew each of our vehicle businesses and transformed our sales and
marketing team, contributing significantly to our success,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman & CEO.
“Quite simply, Mike worked tirelessly to make Polaris a bigger, better and stronger company, and our
gratitude and best wishes go out to Mike as he embarks on his new, more relaxing, adventures.”
“I have been privileged to work with Mike for the past 15 years,” said Bennett Morgan, Polaris President
and COO. “It is a fact that Mike’s efforts played a significant part in making Polaris the company it is
today. We owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his contributions to our business but also for the
passion and pride he brought to every leadership challenge we set before him, no matter how daunting.”
“I have worked with so many great people during my time at Polaris, and it is their passion and
commitment that I will miss the most,” remarked Jonikas. “Though I was around as Polaris broke
through the $2, $3 and $4 billion revenue barriers, launched any number of groundbreaking products, and
became a truly global business, it is the day-to-day interaction with the best team in Powersports that
always inspired me. As I leave, I am confident that the company is in great hands, and I look forward to
seeing what they will accomplish.”
It is never easy to replace someone of Mike’s caliber, but we have a deep reservoir of strong leaders ready
to tackle such challenges, many of whom Mike trained himself. We have developed a thorough
succession plan for his role, and details will be forthcoming. If you have any questions about this
announcement, please contact Scott, Jim Williams or Bennett, and when you see Mike, please join us in
thanking him for his years of dedicated service and leadership. We wish he and his family continued
success as they enter this next chapter of life.
Scott W. Wine
Chairman and CEO
Bennett J. Morgan
President and COO
DATE:
TO:
RE:
March 18, 2015
Polaris, Victory, Indian Motorcycle, Slingshot, GEM, Goupil, Aixam/Mega, KLIM and
Kolpin Dealers
Michael Jonikas, Vice President, Snow and Slingshot, to Retire
After 15 years with Polaris, Michael (Mike) Jonikas, Vice President, Snow and Slingshot, is retiring
effective May of this year.
Jonikas began his Polaris career in 2000 as a Marketing Director in the Off Road Vehicles (ORV)
division, and was selected to be the first General Manager of Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles in 2003. In this
role he was instrumental in creating and building Polaris’ SxS business, which has evolved into the
Company’s foremost revenue generator. In 2005, Mike was promoted to General Manager of Sales and
Corporate Marketing, and began overhauling that organization in order to modernize and professionalize
Polaris’ sales force, culminating in his rise to VP of Sales and Corporate Marketing in 2007. In 2009
Jonikas added responsibility for Polaris’ fledgling On Road Vehicles division, which he led for two years
before attaining his current title as VP, Snow and Slingshot in 2011. Under his guidance, Polaris’
snowmobile business has reached new heights in performance - both from the vehicles themselves and
from a sales perspective - while his work with Slingshot resulted in one of the most successful product
launches in Polaris history.
“Mike has been a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled business leader for Polaris over the past 15
years. During that period, he led and grew each of our vehicle businesses and transformed our sales and
marketing team, contributing significantly to our success,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman & CEO.
“Quite simply, Mike worked tirelessly to make Polaris a bigger, better and stronger company, and our
gratitude and best wishes go out to Mike as he embarks on his new, more relaxing, adventures.”
“I have been privileged to work with Mike for the past 15 years,” said Bennett Morgan, Polaris President
and COO. “It is a fact that Mike’s efforts played a significant part in making Polaris the company it is
today. We owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his contributions to our business but also for the
passion and pride he brought to every leadership challenge we set before him, no matter how daunting.”
This change does not affect Polaris’ business or future opportunities within the company’s core markets
including off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; motorcycles; parts, garments and accessories (PG&A); or
Eicher Polaris Private Limited (EPPL). Overall, we do not expect any changes to our current dealer
strategies as a result of Mike’s departure or the transitions that follow as we allocate his responsibilities.
Details on the transition plan will be forthcoming.
As always we thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions about this
announcement, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Scott W. Wine
Chairman and CEO
Bennett J. Morgan
President and COO
DATE:
TO:
RE:
March 18, 2015
Polaris Suppliers
Michael Jonikas, Vice President, Snow and Slingshot, to Retire
After 15 years with Polaris, Michael (Mike) Jonikas, Vice President, Snow and Slingshot, is retiring
effective mid-May of this year.
Jonikas began his Polaris career in 2000 as a Marketing Director in the Off Road Vehicles (ORV)
division, and was selected to be the first General Manager of Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles in 2003. In this
role he was instrumental in creating and building Polaris’ SxS business, which has evolved into the
Company’s foremost revenue generator. In 2005, Mike was promoted to General Manager of Sales and
Corporate Marketing, and began overhauling that organization in order to modernize and professionalize
Polaris’ sales force, culminating in his rise to VP of Sales and Corporate Marketing in 2007. In 2009
Jonikas added responsibility for Polaris’ fledgling On Road Vehicles division, which he led for two years
before attaining his current title as VP, Snow and Slingshot in 2011. Under his guidance, Polaris’
snowmobile business has reached new heights in performance - both from the vehicles themselves and
from a sales perspective - while his work with Slingshot resulted in one of the most successful product
launches in Polaris history.
“Mike has been a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled business leader for Polaris over the past 15
years. During that period, he led and grew each of our vehicle businesses and transformed our sales and
marketing team, contributing significantly to our success,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman & CEO.
“Quite simply, Mike worked tirelessly to make Polaris a bigger, better and stronger company, and our
gratitude and best wishes go out to Mike as he embarks on his new, more relaxing, adventures.”
“I have been privileged to work with Mike for the past 15 years,” said Bennett Morgan, Polaris President
and COO. “It is a fact that Mike’s efforts played a significant part in making Polaris the company it is
today. We owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his contributions to our business but also for the
passion and pride he brought to every leadership challenge we set before him, no matter how daunting.”
Mike’s departure does not affect Polaris’ business or future opportunities within the company’s core
markets including off-road vehicles; snow; motorcycles; parts, garments and accessories (PG&A); or
Eicher Polaris Private Limited (EPPL). Overall, we do not expect any immediate changes to our current
suppliers. Details on the transition plan will be forthcoming.
As always we thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions about this
announcement, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tony Wixo
Senior Director, Global Procurement and Supply