Arctic Cat continues to build its executive and support teams with new additions to its executive team.
John Prusak, long-time editor of this magazine, takes a role on Cat’s marketing team as its marketing communications manager. “John brings a strong background, great work ethic and a different point of view,” Cory Maus, director of marketing, says. “His knowledge dives into different facets of the industry which only strengthens our ability to offer the best possible products on the market to our consumers.”
Tony Henningson, a powersports veteran, joins the company as its chief financial officer. Henningson built his financial acumen at Polaris, Genmar and KTM. He is a native Minnesotan and a lifelong snowmobiler. “Tony brings a wealth
of valuable experience from multiple segments including powersports, banking, manufacturing and more,” says Brad Darling, president and CEO. “His broad base of knowledge combined with his rider-driven enthusiasm for powersports makes him a solid fit and a valuable asset to our team.”
The fleet of district sales managers now includes Brock Fischer (Texas and Oklahoma); Tracy Burkhart (Minnesota, North and South Dakota); Tim Miller (Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut); Kelly Rees (Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia); and Mark Mackin (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland/Labrador). District sales managers support dealers, sign new partners and provide hands-on support to the network in their local markets.
Smart snowmobilers can apply for a college scholarship, courtesy of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. Eligible applicants are either high school seniors or those currently enrolled full-time in college or a trade school. Applicants must answer this question: How does snowmobiling impact your local community? Things to consider: Does it affect school funding, local businesses, economic impact in your community? If so, how?
Essays will be judged on depth of content, clarity, organization and persuasiveness. Applications are due by February 1, and the recipient will be selected by April 15. The winner will be publicly announced at the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) in Omaha, Nebraska, in June.
Two dedicated snowmobilers rode their final mile in October: Ed Skomoroh, 87, retired Polaris vice president of sales and marketing, and Nick Keller, 71, the man behind the Snowball Cancer fundraiser.
Skomoroh, of Annandale, Minnesota, was Polaris’ best connection to the average snowmobiler — he was an industry giant but never lost touch with the grassroots of the sport. His first job was at the family Arctic Cat dealership in Dryden, Ontario, and he landed a job at Arctic Cat in 1969, eventually becoming the vice president of sales and marketing and general manager for Canada, a role he held until Arctic Cat’s bankruptcy in 1982. He then moved over to Polaris’ Canadian operations and then to the Minnesota corporate office until he retired in 2002. He and his wife, Jean, continued to be a present and active force for snowmobiling, offering their time and ideas for the betterment of trails and clubs. Plus, he was always willing to tell a story. He was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 2010.
Keller, of Richmond, Minnesota, used his snowmobile as a vehicle to raise money for cancer research in memory of his mother, who died from cancer. He started with high-mileage endurance rides in 2010, and by 2015 he reached
The barrier to enter snowmobiling can be high, but an easy way to get people started is to invite them on a ride. The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) encourages this by supporting two events: the International Snowmobile Ride Day on February 14 and the event of which it is a part, Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week, February 7-16.
These events invite clubs, dealers and snowmobile enthusiasts across North America to celebrate the sport, welcome new riders, and build community. ISMA supports local snowmobile clubs with grants to host events, encouraging fun, safety and camaraderie both at the start of the season and mid-winter. It also provides an action manual for clubs that want to plan something special.
Grant recipients for 2026 include snowmobile clubs in Vermont, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Utah, New York, Ontario, Michigan, Minnesota, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Illinois.
Go to www.snowmobile.org for more information on these events.
Polaris will donate more than $135,000 to 14 off-road trails organizations as a part of its Trails Grants program. Polaris makes these grants in the fall and spring, and its 2025 total is at $255,000. Grant applications for the spring cycle are due on March 1. Grants for snow-related activities include:
• Alliance for Trail Vehicles of Maine (Caribou, Maine): Replace or update youth safety trailers and equipment to support statewide education efforts.
• Childwold Snopackers Inc. (Tupper Lake, New York): Improve rider safety and trail accessibility by repairing flood-prone trail sections and promote environmental stewardship through signage and outreach.
• Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (Wingham, Ontario): Revitalize a key section of unassumed road allowance to support multi-use trail access for both motorized and non-motorized users.
• Friends of Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah): Enhance avalanche safety through daily forecasting, trailhead signage, and free or low-cost education programs tailored to the riding community.
• Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club (Palmer, Alaska): Equip trail crews and volunteers with avalanche safety gear and protective equipment to improve safety, emergency response, and promote responsible snowmobiling.
• Village of Edgar (Edgar, Wisconsin): Inspect, repair, and preserve an essential connector bridge for local ATV and snowmobile trails to enable safe, longterm access across public and conservation lands.