Polaris Names Gilbert as Chief Customer Engagement and Growth Officer

Polaris recently announced it has hired Julie Gilbert as chief customer engagement and growth officer. Gilbert will dual report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Wine and President of Motorcycles Steve Menneto.

“In this strategic leadership role, Julie will deepen our relationships with our existing valued customers, while also expanding brand awareness and connecting with new consumer bases,” said Wine. “For the better part of two decades, she has been growing brands and businesses through innovative, customer-centric strategies that build inclusive communities, and authentically engage new customer segments. Her tenacious, winning attitude combined with her creative thought leadership and significant experience will be a great combination for Polaris and I am excited to have her on our leadership team.”

Gilbert will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing solutions and growth strategies that introduce new consumers to the powersports industry and connect with customer segments outside of the company’s traditional core target market. She will also have oversight for Polaris’ corporate marketing, sponsorships and communication efforts, and will help cultivate and launch programs aimed at further engaging RZR owners through the development of rider groups.

“From snowmobiles to motorcycles, I’ve been a lifelong rider and have admired Polaris and its product portfolio for a number of years. As the chief customer engagement and growth officer, I’m ready to help Polaris tell its story in order to accelerate growth, broaden its reach and attract new customers to Polaris and the powersports industry,” said Gilbert.

Most recently, Gilbert was the founder and CEO of PreciouStatus, a mobile software platform and technology company that creates real-time connections for those in professional care facilities in education, healthcare, and the military. Gilbert is a 2015 Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.

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Polaris Industries Inc.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.