Ed Klim Retires After 25 Years of Service as ISMA President, Jaret Smith Takes the Helm

photo: Ed Klim (SnowGoer Magazine)

The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) announces a significant change in leadership, marking the retirement of Ed Klim, who has served as President for over 25 years. Effective January 15, 2024, Jaret Smith will take on the role of President, bringing with him over a decade of snowmobile industry experience, including his recent position as Manager of the North American Snowmobile Division at Yamaha.

Troy Halvorson, ISMA Board of Directors member and representative of Arctic Cat, expresses deep gratitude for Ed Klim's distinguished service, highlighting his immeasurable impact on the snowmobile industry. Klim, who began his tenure with ISMA in 1995, played a pivotal role in cultivating and growing the industry over the past 28 years. Among his notable achievements, Klim established the "Safe Riders" safety program and worked tirelessly to keep Yellowstone National Park open to snowmobiling.

BC Snowmobile Federation Executive Director, Donegal Wilson, fondly recalls Klim's reports at the International Snowmobile Congress. ‘His presentations were always the highlight of Congress for me with his ability to break down numbers and provide insightful forecasts. As an economist, Klim was adept at relating global events to snowmobile sales and had a unique understanding of politics worldwide, from the U.S. and Canada to Russia and Norway.”

Wilson also emphasizes Klim's pivotal role in garnering manufacturer support to employ a biologist in BC for enhanced comprehension of caribou management plans. This initiative has resulted in the creation of a lasting resource library of studies, shared among clubs, provinces, and states.

Jaret Smith, known for fostering strong relationships within the industry, is set to continue Klim's legacy as the new President. With experience at Yamaha and a background in powersports dealership growth, Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and a lifelong passion for snowmobiling, logging over 2,500 miles annually across the U.S. and Canada.

As Ed Klim steps into retirement, the snowmobiling community expresses appreciation for his decades of service, while welcoming Jaret Smith as the new President, poised to lead ISMA into a new era of industry growth and collaboration.