“Their initiative and efforts have greatly advanced the industry, and will continue to lead it into the future,” said Larry Little, MIC chairman and Cycle World vice president and publisher.

The 2009 recipients recognized at the MIC Annual Meeting are:

Christopher B. Douwes, recognized for his outstanding support of the Recreational Trails Program and OHV Trails Projects. The trails program, established in 1991, is one of the most important government efforts ever created for the benefit of OHV recreation. The MIC played a leading role in starting the project and continues work to ensure its continuation and expansion. The program has enabled the completion of thousands of OHV projects.

The program is overseen by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and, essentially, that's Christopher Douwes. He has managed the program since day one and been its staunchest champion. He is responsible in great part for its success and works tirelessly with all of the MIC’s trails partners to make needed improvements.

Perhaps the most important contribution Douwes has made is to promote motorized projects and ensure that they aren't given short shrift. His unflagging dedication to fair administration and enthusiastic advocacy has turned a germ of an idea, by a handful of OHV leaders, into millions of dollars in OHV trail development and related projects.

Kathy Van Kleeck, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, MIC, was recognized for her outstanding service to the industry in working with legislators. Van Kleeck began her career in 1975 as a legislative assistant for the MIC. Based in the MIC office near Washington, D.C., she held several positions prior to being named Managing Director, Government Relations in 1996, and then Vice President, Government Relations Office in 1997. Van Kleeck assumed government relations responsibilities for the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, upon its creation in 1983, and for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in 1984. She was named Senior Vice President in 2006.

Van Kleeck’s responsibilities include: providing overall direction for government relations programs, advocating association positions to legislators and regulators, and developing and implementing legislative information programs for member companies, government entities and related stakeholders. She is currently a member of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration and the Transportation Research Board’s Motorcycle and Moped Committee. She’s also the chairperson of the Leadership/Motorcyclist Rights Advocates Nomination Committee for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Van Kleeck is renowned for her tireless dedication. If there are questions, she will have answers or get them. She is the institutional memory of everything that the government has done to affect our business.

Past Recipients of the MIC Chairman’s Award:

2008

Stuart Phillip Ross, was recognized for outstanding dedication and service as outside legal counsel to the MIC since 1971.

Mel Harris, was recognized for outstanding service to the industry.

Gayle Anderson, a reporter for Los Angeles television station KTLA, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to motorcyclist safety.

Advanstar Communications Powersports Group was recognized for outstanding leadership in supporting and advancing the industry.

Michael C. Burgess, M.D., U.S. Congressman and Gabrielle Giffords, U.S. Congresswoman, for outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing motorcycling and motorcycle safety.

Selvaraj Narayana, for outstanding service to the industry and the MIC Board of Directors.

2007

Mary E. Peters, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, for outstanding public service and dedication to the nation’s transportation system.

Bob Moffit, for outstanding leadership in the development of partners standard protocol.

Russ Ehnes, for outstanding leadership and dedication to promoting OHV recreation.

Thomas Crimmins, for outstanding service to the industry on OHV access initiatives.

Dana Bell, for outstanding dedication and contribution to promoting OHV recreation.

Susan Carpenter, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, for outstanding contributions to motorcyclist safety.

Don Brown, for outstanding service to the industry.

Fred Fox, for outstanding service to the industry on the MIC Board of Directors.

2006

Gary Christopher, for outstanding service to the industry as DTM Subcommittee Chairman

Mark Boyer and Robyn McPeters, for outstanding service to the industry in public relations.

Pamela Amette, Tom Austin and Paul Vitrano, for outstanding service to the industry.

Jeff Shetler, for outstanding service to the industry on the OE Technical Committee.

Russ O’Daly, Mel Stahl and Tom Yager, for outstanding service to the industry on the SVIA Technical Advisory Panel.

Jack Gray, Pat Murphy and Roger Peterson, for outstanding service to the industry on Partners Standard Protocol.

National 4-H Council, in recognition of dedication to ATV safety.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as publishing companies, advertising agencies, insurance firms and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914.

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