MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the hiring of John
M. Olson as Vice President and General Manager for Polaris Defense,
effective immediately. Reporting directly to Bob Mack, President, Global
Adjacent Markets, Olson will execute complete Polaris Defense P&L
responsibility, lead and develop the long term strategy for the
organization, and build it into a top supplier of innovative customer
solutions to the Department of Defense and other Government agencies.
“John is incredibly accomplished, is highly conversant with cutting-edge
technology, and has decades of experience with the Department of
Defense, having both worked within that organization and conducted
business with it as a contractor. His combination of energy and
expertise will be a boon to our Defense business and our company as a
whole,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“Polaris Defense has made strides in recent years and has significant
untapped potential. I am confident John is the right person to help us
realize it.”
John joins us from Sierra Nevada Corporation, where as Vice President of
their Space Systems business he was responsible for space-exploration
systems, including the innovative Dream Chaser reusable spacecraft.
Altogether, John has 28 years’ experience in DoD/USAF, NASA, and White
House public service, including 12 years at the Pentagon, as well as 3
years’ executive leadership in private industry. He is also a veteran
with active service in multiple conflicts, including overseas and
wartime support during conflicts in the Gulf, Bosnia/Kosovo, Somalia,
Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.
John holds a BS degree in Engineering Science and Mechanical Engineering
from the Air Force Academy, dual M.S. degrees in Material Science,
Engineering, and Avionics from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D.
in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Auburn University.
About Polaris
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE:PII) is a global
powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels
the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER®,
RZR® and POLARIS GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road
vehicles; our SPORTSMAN® and POLARIS ACE®
all-terrain off-road vehicles; VICTORY® and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT®
moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, SWITCHBACK®
and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience
with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable
brands, and has a growing presence in adjacent markets globally with
products including military and commercial off-road vehicles,
quadricycles, and electric vehicles. www.polaris.com
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Source: Polaris Industries Inc.