Minnesota’s Powersport
Icon Ole Tweet Retires
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Ole Tweet
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Thief River Falls, MN (5/19/2009)
- Intent to reduce his workload and focus more on
his family, today Ole Tweet announced that he will
step down from his position as General Manager,
ATV Division. The change marks a watershed moment
for a man and company whose success and contributions
to the powersports industry have been seamlessly
intertwined for four decades.
“It’s impossible to adequately summarize
Ole’s vast influence on Arctic Cat as a
company, or to convey his many contributions as
a person,” said Chris Twomey, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Arctic Cat.
“We’re a company blessed with many
dedicated, passionate people,” said Twomey,
“And Ole would be the first to deflect any
personal praise and say that he was just one of
many. But I’m here to tell you that Ole
has truly been one of the most influential and
important. I’m not shocked that he wants
to reduce his professional responsibilities, but
I’d be lying if I said this change will
be easy for him or his many friends at Arctic
Cat, including me.”
Tweet’s career at Arctic Cat began in 1977
and reflects his considerable engineering and
marketing skills, with titles that include Head
of Engineering (1978 to 1981), Vice President
of Marketing (1983 to 1992); Vice President of
New Product Development (1992 to 2008) and most
recently as General Manager of ATV.
The list of Tweet’s contributions would
fill several pages, but several significant highlights
deserve mention. Chief among them was Tweet’s
key role in resurrecting Arctic Cat in 1983 following
the bankruptcy and liquidation of Arctic Enterprises
in 1981.
As the reborn company worked to reestablish itself
in the snowmobile industry, Tweet spearheaded
important and breakthrough marketing efforts that
contributed to the company’s monumental
growth, including a build-to-order program that
matched production with demand; close-to-the-customer
communications via dealer newsletters and Cat’s
Pride Club/magazine; and memorable advertising
campaigns that tapped into the brand’s passionate,
loyal customer base and the company’s pioneering
technology.
When Arctic Cat moved into the personal watercraft
and All-Terrain Vehicle markets in the 1990s,
Tweet guided the development and management of
its Tigershark, ATV and Prowler products divisions.
Tweet also represented the company’s involvement
in various industry associations and governance
efforts, working tirelessly on efforts to support
responsible riding as well as battling outside
efforts to reduce riders’ rights and access
to public lands. In recognition of these and other
contributions, Tweet was inducted into the Snowmobile
Hall of Fame in 2004.
“Ole has the brain of an engineer with
the heart and instinct of a marketing professional,”
said Twomey. “That unique perspective and
an unstoppable work ethic are the ingredients
of his greatness.”
While Tweet is stepping down from his role as
GM of the ATV division, he isn’t stepping
away from Arctic Cat. He will continue an active
role representing Arctic Cat in industry associations
and corporate governance.
“I’ve enjoyed a great career, working
alongside remarkable people, to help grow an incredible
Minnesota-based company,” said Tweet. “I’m
ready to throttle back my workload and responsibility
to focus more on my family. But I’m not
walking away from Arctic Cat, and the company
will progress forward with strong leadership and
innovative talent.”
Following Tweet’s announcement, Arctic
Cat President and Chief Operating Officer Claude
Jordan will take over as interim GM of the ATV
division.
Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers,
manufactures and markets snowmobiles and all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) under the Arctic Cat brand name, as
well as related parts, garments and accessories. For
more information on Arctic Cat ATVs, please visit your
local dealer or log on to www.arcticcat.com.
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