Shifting Gears: Following the Movers and Shakers in the Powersports Industry

Cat is out of the bag! Erik Nelson was promoted to VP and general manager of Arctic Cat’s snowmobile division and international sales, effective immediately. Patricia Jones also joins the company as chief human resources officer. Nelson succeeds Brad Darling and Jones succeeds William Nee, both of whom are pursuing other opportunities. “We are pleased to welcome Erik and Patty to these important roles as we continue to build an exciting, innovative and results-driven culture to achieve our growth goals,” said Christopher Metz, Arctic Cat’s president/CEO. “I also want to thank Brad Darling and Bill Nee for their many years of leadership at Arctic Cat and significant contributions.”

Former Cycle News staffer Jason Abbot has joined the Dispatch Communications team. Abbott joins the full service agency as an account coordinator for American Honda’s Motorcycle Press Department. “Abbott brings an ideal mix of talents for motorcycle communications spanning nearly three decades as a racer, test rider, expert mechanic and storyteller,” said Dispatch founder Eric Doyne. “Product communications is one of our agency specialties and his technical knowledge, from ground-up motorcycle builds to his experience as a test rider, is perfectly suited to daily account work.” Jason just finished a 12-year hitch at Cycle News, and he also has 10 years experience working at the dealership level.

Former off-road racer (and 2012 WORCS series champ) Travis Dowthwaite is now national sales manager for AXO. In addition to his racing experience, West Coast dealers may remember him as the western regional sales manager for Leatt Corporation. His long-term relationships and involvement in racing are what sold him to AXO, says Alessandra Zago, president of AXO America, Inc. “We are very excited to have him on board and look forward to a successful 2016 and years to come.”

Looking for new gig? Former Kawasaki exec turned head hunter Jan Plessner has hung out her shingle at ACTION Recruiting. “I had a great 23-year run at Kawasaki, but I really love recruiting,” says the new firm’s co-founder and managing director. “Nothing feels better than transforming careers by placing individuals in wonderful opportunities. I’ve also fine-tuned a process to career coach those who desire to make a move, but are overwhelmed by today’s often daunting high-tech world.” Most recently with Lonski and Associates, LLC, Jan enjoyed an extended tenure with Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., which included eight years as the public relations manager from 2003 to 2012. Click on www.spAction.com or e-mail [email protected] for details.

Things are heating up at Evans Cooling Systems! The waterless coolant experts have signed a distribution deal with Tucker Rocky and has hired 30-year powersports industry veteran Andy Barbieri as sales director. “We are fortunate to have Andy on our team,” said Marketing Director Mike Tourville. “We selected him as someone able to drive continued sales we move into a period of anticipated growth.” Barbieri adds, “Evans waterless coolant is a unique product, with so many advantages to offer. We’re starting the year off in a sprint, and I’m looking forward to fast growth and strong sales!” Much of this anticipated growth should stem from the Tucker Rocky deal. “Tucker Rocky and Evans are an unbeatable team,” says Evans Powersports Director John Light. “Both companies share a passion for powersports that goes beyond our own growth, but also to the prosperity of the industry as a whole. Any shop can become an Evans dealer now that Tucker Rocky has stocked our powersports coolant nationwide.”

Michael “Tex” Mawby is back in the saddle as director of business development for TCX Boots. “We’re happy to welcome Tex and look forward to tapping into his experience,” said TCX Boots USA VP Randy George. “I can’t think of a better person to add to our team… his knowledge is vast both on the business side and the sport side of motorcycling.” Mawby has a solid track record of success as the former president of Gerbing Motorsport and a several-year stint with REV’IT! Sport USA as its Eastern U.S. and Canadian sales manager. “I am incredibly excited to work with the TCX Team both here in the U.S. and in Italy,” Mawby stated. “I see tremendous growth potential for TCX to become the true premium motorcycle boot brand in this country.” Mawby has been an avid rider and amateur road racer winning four national championships with AMA, WERA and the USCRA road racing series. In his spare time he buys and restores vintage motorcycles.