Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association Honors the Top Trail Ambassadors, Legislators, TREADY (Trail Rider Experience AwarD of the Year) Winners at 2012 Annual Meeting and Announces Two New Honorary Awards

Press Release

Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association Honors the Top Trail Ambassadors, Legislators, TREADY (Trail Rider Experience AwarD of the Year) Winners at 2012 Annual Meeting and Announces Two New Honorary Awards 

Sheboygan, WI, April 23rd, 2012:  The Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association (WATVA) representing both ATV & UTV riders is pleased to announce the top Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassadors for 2011 , our dedicated legislators, the winners of the rider voted Trail Rider Experience AwarD of the Year (TREADY) , and the announcement of our new honorary awards.

2012 Annual Meeting:

The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association hosted its annual workshop and meeting from April 20th – 22nd at the Grand Lodge and Resort in Rothschild, WI. This year, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association hosted various workshops with topics that included the new UTV program, bringing ATV/UTV clubs together with snowmobile clubs, working on funding with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and US forest trail updates. We also had many great guest speakers, including the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources Cathy Stepp and the Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett.

The weekend opened on Friday with the first ever, “Town Hall” meeting on ATV/UTV tourism, ATV/UTV trail access, and economic growth. The afternoon was again focusing on increasing tourism and improving the economy with ATV & UTV trails. The last workshop was an overview of the recently completed year-long economic impact study of the Cheese Country Trail. This workshop was conducted by Green County Representative Jerry Guth and highlighted how the trail system attracted over $15 million dollars per year in spending and supports about 190 jobs.

The Saturday workshop sessions were opened with a presentation from the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources Cathy Stepp, who highlighted the positive working relationship the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association has with the Department of Natural Resources. Secretary Stepp stressed how important it is to continue this partnership. After the opening presentation, the day continued with a two track series of workshops that had topics of funding, private business partnerships, marketing, tourism, ATV Snowmobile club mergers, social networking for clubs, and a workshop with the US forest service.

The evening awards presentation was opened with the Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett, who gave a powerful speech on how important the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association is to the economic impact of the state. She also emphasized the positive working partnership with the Department of Tourism and agency leaders.

On Sunday, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association held their annual business meeting. Current financial status information was reviewed about the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association. There were territory updates from the regional coordinators, and discussions from the floor were heard and addressed. Election results were announced for the following positions:

• President’s Position: Randy Harden was re-elected
• Treasurers Position: Greg Olson was appointed after incumbent Randy Curtis resigned
• Greg Olson’s advisor position will be appointed at a later date
• Advisor: Terry Coplien was re-elected.

Our Top Ride Smart Trail Patrol Ambassadors:

Wisconsin has one of the best volunteer-driven ATV/UTV Trail Patrol programs in the nation. Without our dedication from volunteers from around the state, Wisconsin wouldn’t have the trail systems we have today. It’s because of theses volunteers that more communities are willing to open access opportunities based on local club coordinated trail patrol. Each year, the Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association, along with its partner, the NOHVIS Group, awards top trail ambassadors for the most hours volunteered. For 2011, or volunteers donated over 5,000 hours of their time and rode over 55,000 miles patrolling our trail systems. This year the top seventeen volunteers are:

• Audrey Emery (Clam Lake) for 779 Hours and 8,058 Miles
• Frank Emery (Clam Lake) for 774 Hours and 8,010 Miles
• Randy Groth (Monticello) for 405 Hours and 3,020 Miles
• Karen Groth (Monticello) for 391 Hours and 3,020 Miles
• Damian Narlock (Wausau) for 375 Hours and 6,794 Miles
• Holly Pasterski (Wausau) for 375 Hours and 6,794 Miles
• Linda Pasterski (Shawano) for 375 Hours and 6,794 Miles
• Roger Steinbach (Shiocton) for 324 Hours and 2,917 Miles
• Kathy Steinbach (Shiocton) for 314 Hours and 2,771 Miles
• Allen Morschauser (Necedah) for 166.5 Hours and 1,477 Miles
• Karen Morschauser (Necedah) for 166.5 Hours and 1,477 Miles
• Ernie Pulvermacher (Princeton) for 110.5 Hours and 577 Miles
• Naomi Pulvermacher (Princeton) for 110.5 Hours and 577 Miles
• Fred Ackley (Pigeon Falls) for 52 Hours and 574 Miles
• Jim Vandenack (Athelstane) for 41 Hours and 376 Miles
• Dennis Swiatek (Athelstane) for 32 Hours and 285 Miles
• Paul Villwock Jr. (Ashland) for 25 Hours and 229 Miles

Winners of the Trail Rider Experience AwarD of the Year (TREADY):

For the second year, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association, along with its partner National Motorsports Services, announced the winners of the Trail Rider Experience AwarD of the Year, or TREADY. The awards are based on the highest number of public votes, with voting starting at the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Associations VIP Ride in September and ending on April 1st. Each voter can nominate an entity for the following categories: Dealership, Lodging, Restaurant, Special Event and Trail System. This year’s top nominees and winners are as follows:

• Best Dealership:
• Winner: Hayward Powersports in Hayward, WI
• 2nd Place: Country Sports in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
• 3rd Place: Lakewood Motorsports in Lakewood, WI
• Best Lodging:
• Winner:  Lakewoods Resort in Cable, WI
• 2nd Place: Mountain Springs Motel in Mountain, WI
• 3rd Place: Waubee Lodge in Lakewood, WI
• Best Restaurant:
• Winner: Lakewoods Resort in Cable, WI
• 2nd Place: Weatherwood Supper Club in Mountain, WI
• 3rd Place: Hillcrest Lodge & Resort in Townsend, WI
• Best Event:
• Winner: ATV Nation.com's Toys for Tots in Cable, WI
• 2nd Place: Chix’s 4 A Cause in Mountain, WI
• Memorial Day Rally in Hurley, WI
• Best Trail System:
• Winner: Dusty Trails in Oconto County
• 2nd Place: Sawyer County Trail System
• 3rd Place: Oconto County Trail System

We would like to thank all of those that sent in their vote!

Presidents Key Legislator Awards:

The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Associations legislative team had a monumental year in 2011. With help from our volunteers and input from many businesses, organizations, and government officials, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association passed one of the largest bills in our history. With this law, the UTV program moves out of its pilot program and into a permanent registration program. The law clears the way for additional funding for trail maintenance, and provides a much-needed boost in economic opportunities from increased rider counts. Full details of the bill can be found on our web site www.watva.org. With the hard work from our key legislators on this bill and others, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association presented the following Presidents Key Legislator Award to:

• Senator Jim Holperin
• Senator Joseph Leibham
• Representative Louis Molepske Jr,
• Representative Erik Severson

Along with the Presidents Key Legislator Award, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association also presented its Presidents Key Legislator Staff Member Recognition Award to:

• Lucas Moench of Senator Joseph Leibham’s Office

With each legislative session, the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association strives to improve the ATV/UTV registration programs by taking input from not only riders, but also land managers and law enforcement agencies that really make our ATV and UTV program be the successful program that it is. Each legislator and their staff spend countless hours with Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association volunteers, drafting and passing each bill.

Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association Announces New Honorary Awards:

This past year, Wisconsin has lost some highly dedicated volunteers to the ATV / UTV program. These individuals always left a positive and rewarding memory to those that were lucky enough to work with them. Their positive commitments on local and state levels have forever changed our program. In recognition of their efforts, three new awards will be given out to honor their work each year. The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association is confident that their stories will continue to inspire volunteers to continue their mission on creating a positive future for the sport.

The Spencer McElroy Unity Award is in memory of the late Spencer McElroy of Florence WI, a longtime volunteer and past board member of the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association. He was committed to bringing clubs and organizations with similar visions together, making those visions become realities. Spencer cleared the way for the unique partnership that the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association has with the Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment (MI-TRALE), among many other accomplishments. This year, the award was given to Spencer’s family in honor of his achievements.

The Bud Auer Good Image Award of Excellence is in memory of the late Paul “Bud” Auer of Winneconne, a volunteer and past board member of the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association, who strived to teach others about the importance of positive image for our organizations and sport.

The Roger Steinbach Trail Guardian of Excellence is in memory of the late Roger Steinbach of Shiocton, a volunteer Trail Patrol Ambassador that set long standing records of hours volunteered as a Trail Patrol Ambassador. The Roger Steinbach award will be given to those Trail Patrol Ambassadors that go above and beyond the call of duty. This year, Roger’s family received this award for his long standing commitment to the program and the positive and rewarding experiences we had working with him.

Thank You to Our Volunteers and Sponsors:

The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association would like to thank all of those that volunteered their time and talents to our 2012 annual meeting and workshop.

We would also like to thank our sponsors who continue to support our long term visions and goals with financial support though membership, advertising and donations: National Motorsports Services, Yamaha Motor Corp, Polaris Industries, American Suzuki Motors, Can-Am | BRP, Moose Utility Division, Tucker Rockey Distributing, Chilton Trailers, the NOHVIS Group and the Grand Lodge and Resort by Stoney Creek.

Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources Cathy Stepp speaks at the 2012 Wisconsin ATV/UTV Associations annual meeting on April 21st 2012.

Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett and Wisconsin ATV/UTV President Randy Harden speaks at the 2012 Wisconsin ATV/UTV Associations annual meeting on April 21st 2012.

(From Right to Left) Ryan Stiver of Yamaha Motor Corp, Bill Kohlhagen of Can-Am | BRP, Ron Klimke of American Suzuki, Rob McConnell of the NOHVIS Group and Jon Bush of Polaris Industries discuss the possibility of an ATV/UTV consumer demo show on April 21st 2012.

Lucas Moench of Senator Joseph Leibham’s staff discusses recently passed legislation with Department of Natural Resources ATV/Snowmobile Administrator Gary Eddy at the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Associations annual meeting on April 21st 2012. 

Wisconsin State Senator Joseph Leibham speaks at the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Associations annual meeting on April 21st 2012.

Top Left: Ernie Pulvermacher (Princeton), Naomi Pulvermacher (Princeton), Fred Ackley (Pigeon Falls), Frank Emery (Clam Lake), Damian Narlock (Wausau), Allen Morschauser (Necedah), Karen Morschauser (Necedah), Paul Villwock Jr. (Ashland) Bottom Left: Randy Groth (Monticello), Karen Groth (Monticello), Audrey Emery (Clam Lake), Kathy Steinbach (Shiocton), Linda Pasterski (Shawano), Holly Pasterski (Wausau) pose after receiving their award for top trail ambassador at the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association annual meeting on April 21st 2012.