Behind the Scenes with Goff Public: Polaris Industries and Lynda Chilstrom

Polaris Industries is one of the most dynamic, successful companies in America today.  It is also one of Minnesota’s greatest business success stories, from developing the world’s first commercially viable snowmobile in 1954 to today being the most innovative and growth-oriented manufacturer of off-road vehicles and motorcycles in the world.

Goff Public has assisted Polaris with its public affairs activities for many years.  My colleague Lynda Chilstrom plays a senior role in this work, coordinating contract lobbyists in other states, working with federal and state officials, organizing outreach activities, conducting significant statutory and regulatory research, drafting legislation, and much more – like helping make major public announcements run flawlessly.

When Polaris announced recently that it was doubling the size of its Wyoming, Minnesota, research and development facility – the nerve center of its industry-leading innovations – Lynda Chilstrom and Goff Public naturally helped.

Polaris CEO Scott Wine was joined last Friday by a bipartisan group of federal, state and local officials in announcing this 144,000-square-foot expansion and breaking ground for the new construction.

But behind every picture-perfect photo op and occasion to share good news about job growth, there must be preparation and precise execution.  After moving company employees in the right position, Lynda holds the photographer’s ladder steady for the ideal camera shot.

Here Marlys Knutson, Polaris external relations director, and Lynda are keeping careful watch on all of the details as the announcement unfolds.

Interacting with elected officials and their staffs, managing photographers, and generally helping keep events running smoothly are just a few of the many things – on top of government relations – which Lynda and the rest of the Goff Public team do for Polaris and our other clients.