Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/771039
IN THE WIND P42 MIC NAMES 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS T he members of the Motor- cycle Industry Council have elected Paul Puma to the 2017 MIC Board of Directors. In ad- dition, Arnold W. Ackerman and Andy Leisner have each been reelected to the MIC board. All three will serve two-year terms. Paul Puma, executive vice president of Wells Fargo Com- mercial Distribution, has been a motorcycle enthusiast for over 50 years and has worked in the motorcycle industry for over 31 years. In 1985, Puma went to work for ITT Commercial Finance, managing the Motor- sport Unit. He continued in this capacity throughout the years and several acquisitions—in- cluding the recent acquisition by Wells Fargo in March of 2016. Going into 2017, Ackerman, Leisner and Puma join elected directors Eric Anderson, founder and president of VROOM Network; Michael Peyton, vice president of BMW Motorrad USA; and Jim Woodruff, chief operating officer with National Powersport Auctions. The remaining directors, appointed by MIC's maximum-dues-paying member companies, are Chuck Boderman, vice president, motorcycle division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Russ Brenan, senior advisor, govern- ment relations & public affairs, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Mike Doughty, general manager, motorcycle sales and market- ing, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.; Kerry Graeber, vice president MC/ATV sales & mar- keting, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.; John Hinz, president, KTM North America, Inc.; and Paul Vitrano, vice president, global government relations, Polaris Industries Inc. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, California with a govern- ment relations office in metro- politan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in opera- tion since 1914. Visit the MIC at mic.org. CN BAIRD RECOVERING AT HOME S even-time AMA National Enduro Champion Bill Baird is recovering at home after suffering a fall at home, which resulted in paralysis and speech loss. Baird, who is in his late 80s, was then checked into a rehab facility in Morrison, Illinois, but has since been given the okay to go back home. Not only was Baird a champion back when his bike of choice was a Triumph TR5 (500cc), but he served as an AMA official and board member for many years. Millie Baird, Bill's wife, was a member of the Rock River Riders and the Motor Maids and was voted the most popular female rider back in the 1960's. According to Bill's sister, Deb, they think his prob- lems started when he fell in his driveway at home a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and hit his head. Deb says thank you for everyone's kind thoughts and the entire family appreciates everyone thinking of him. CN Seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion Bill Baird is recuperating at home after suffering a fall.