Doug Morris 3-16-01
- Updated: March 16, 2001
An interview with the newly elected ATVA Director
The right guy for the job?
Doug has plenty of seat time, more specifically — (and we’re pleased of this) — plenty of race track time, as you can see.
ATV Scene: What is your background?
Morris: I spent most of my adult life in Topeka Kansas (25 years) where I owned my own property management business. I started riding ATCs in 1986 and became very active with a local ATV club, the Kansas ATV Association (KATVA). KATVA over the next few years became one of the most active clubs in the nation. We developed two separate riding areas on Corps of Engineer property. One at Lake Perry, Kansas and another at Pomona Lake, Kansas. We were the only club I know of to ever lease property from the Corps of Engineer to use exclusively for a club riding area. We also worked with the State of Kansas to use SIMMS gas tax money to purchase land from the adjoining landowner and then lease it back to KATVA, doubling the size of the area we leased form the Corps of Engineers.
In 1988 the Consumer Product Safety Commission was trying to do away with ATVs. I knew if we could cut down on accidents and injuries we could keep our chosen form of recreation going strong, so I became a licensed instructor for the ATV Safety Institute (ASI). In 1992 ASI had an opening for a Region Manager of their Central Region in Louisville, Colorado. I took the job and moved to Colorado. While working as the Central Region Manager for ASI, I worked with hundreds of Instructors and dealers in a 12 state region. I attended many land use workshops, worked with US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and many state agencies on ATV issues. In 1995 I became a Licensed Chief Instructor for ASI.
In 1998 I went to work for one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in the country, Fay Myers Motorcycle World in Denver Colorado. As Operations Manager, my job description was very diverse. Fay Myers has to be the most active dealership in the country when it comes to protecting our right to recreate on public lands. Because of the involvement of Fay Myers, I worked with most of the major ATV manufacturers.
I would coordinate product evaluations on new ATVs, combined with where to ride articles. I did many rides with Bill Lanphier, (former editor of 4-Wheel ATV Action) and a few editorials with the AMA’s, American Motorcyclists. The magazine articles allow more of the ATV’ing public to see just how much enjoyment is out there. I worked closely with Jerry Abboud, executive director of the Colorado Off-highway Vehicle Coalition, (COHVCO). They are one of the most active and forward thinking associations in country. COHVCO has truly been a leader in fighting to keep our public lands open to OHV’S.
That’s Doug pitch sliding a Honda 300EX on the cover of 4-Wheel ATV Action.
ATV Scene: Married? Children?
Morris: My wife Cindi and I have been married for 25 years. We don’t have any children, but I have a son (Scott) that lives in Shawnee, KS.
ATV Scene: Do you ride ATVs? How long have you been an ATVer?
Morris: Yes! Every chance I get. My son and I stared riding together in 1986 on a Honda ATC 250SX (shaft drive w/ reverse).
ATV Scene: Ever race?
Morris: Yes I have! I have successfully competed in every form of ATV competition there is. Motocross, TT, Flat Track, Ice, Hare Scrambles, Mud Bogs, ATV Rodeo’s, Sand Drags, Dirt Drags, you name it – I raced it. I personally liked the hare scrambles the best. When I lived in Kansas there was a circuit called the Kansas Motorcycle Sportsmans Association, in which my son Scott and I raced 1987 Honda 250Xs in
the 4-stroke class. Scott moved up to the 2-stroke class and I stayed in 4-stroke. I was the KS State 4-stroke points champion for 1990 & 1991.
ATV Scene: Why did you take on this role?
Morris: The main reason is my enthusiasm for ATVing. For the last fifteen years
ATVs have been the main focus in almost everything I have been doing. I want to see
it grow into the future.
ATV Scene: Are you aware of the newly formed National ATV Motorsports Group
Morris: Yes I am aware of them and hope to work closely with them. We have not yet spoken but hope to soon.
ATV Scene: Any last words for part one of this interview?
Morris: I hope there will never be a LAST WORD! I plan on seeing ATVing grow long into the future. I know the AMA is going to see that this adventure works and I want to be a big part of the success. I will start Monday March 19th. We’ll talk again after I get settled in at my new residence in Pickerington, Ohio.
