OREANDA-NEWS. Polaris Industries Inc. recently inducted a retired company executive and two outstanding dealers, including Valley ATV of Danville, into the Polaris Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Polaris National Sales Meeting held in Nashville.

From Left to Right: Back Row - Tim Larson, SVP Global Customer Excellence; Jean Lahmon; Andrea Staat ...

From Left to Right: Back Row - Tim Larson, SVP Global Customer Excellence; Jean Lahmon; Andrea Staats; Emmy Lou Staats; Nathan Staats; Paul Staats; Scott Wine, Chairman and CEO; Mary Lou Staats; Doug Staats; Alayna Wittel; Lindsey Staats; Ashley Wittel and Kevin Wittel; Front Row - (three little ones) Taylor Staats; Tessa Wittel and Carter Wittel (Photo: Business Wire)

The Polaris Hall of Fame was established in 2004 during the company’s 50th anniversary. Retired employees and Polaris dealers are among those recognized for their roles in the company’s growth and success. Inducted along with Valley ATV today were retired company executive Mike Malone and another Polaris dealership, Teixeira’s Polaris of Hyde Park, N.Y.

“We are honored to pay tribute to special individuals and outstanding dealers like Valley ATV that were inducted this year into the Polaris Hall of Fame,” said Polaris CEO Scott Wine. “Their dedication and commitment have been instrumental in the company’s continued growth and long-term success.”

In 1994, dairy farmer and part-time ATV repairman Paul Staats became a Polaris dealer, setting up shop on his farm property outside of Danville. From this rural setting, Paul sold 75 Polaris units in his first year, and Valley ATV has grown and thrived in the two-plus decades since. Valley ATV is known for offering Polaris off-road vehicles at fair prices and then providing outstanding vehicle service and incomparable customer service to its loyal customer base. The dealership carries large inventories of parts and accessories to help customers maximize their riding time.

One of Paul’s earliest employees, his mother-in-law Jean Lahmon, continues to process vehicle titles, while his wife Mary Lou is the office manager. Their oldest son, Doug, a former professional ATV racer, is the sales manager, while daughter Ashley’s husband Kevin is a shop mechanic, as is the owner’s youngest son, Nathan.

The other 2016 Polaris Hall of Fame inductees are:

  • Teixeira’s Polaris became a Polaris dealer in 1995, when Paul Teixeira converted the family’s Hyde Park, N.Y., service station into a dealership. Through the commitment of Teixeira, his wife Pam (the dealership office manager), and their loyal staff, the dealership has grown and expanded steadily. Carrying the full complement of Polaris off-road products and delivering exceptional vehicle and customer service, Teixeira’s Polaris has become a stellar Polaris dealership and valuable community asset.
  • Mike Malone joined Polaris in 1984 as Accounting Manager, and in 1993 he was named Vice President and Treasurer. Four years later he became Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), titles he held until his retirement in 2015.

    For most of his 30-plus years with Polaris, he led the talented team that oversaw the company’s finances, and he served as the fiscal conscience as Polaris grew to become a global leader in the powersports industry. Malone helped Polaris evolve from being primarily a snowmobile manufacturer with limited seasonal cash flow into a diversified manufacturer of on- and off-road vehicles with brands that are popular with riders worldwide.

Photo Caption From Left to Right
Back Row – Tim Larson, SVP Global Customer Excellence; Jean Lahmon; Andrea Staats; Emmy Lou Staats; Nathan Staats; Paul Staats; Scott Wine, Chairman and CEO; Mary Lou Staats; Doug Staats; Alayna Wittel; Lindsey Staats; Ashley Wittel and Kevin Wittel