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2026 Forty Under 40: MICHAEL POLUKA
SENIOR MANAGER OF STRATEGIC AND COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS | STIHL | VIRGINIA BEACH
Virginia Business //April 28, 2026//
2026 Forty Under 40: MICHAEL POLUKA
SENIOR MANAGER OF STRATEGIC AND COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS | STIHL | VIRGINIA BEACH
Virginia Business //April 28, 2026//
As a teen, Poluka went to work at a family friend’s hardware store. He started out sweeping floors but went on to manage a small Stihl department, the start of his connection with the outdoor power equipment brand. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a business administration degree in 2012, Poluka went to work as a product management support specialist for Stihl. Today, he leads a team that supports professional end users across the country.
KEY TO MY SUCCESS: My father, a former U.S. Marine, set the example of discipline, commitment and pride in one’s work — values that became the foundation of how I approach every role and responsibility.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Leading the rollout of [Stihl’s] new commercial solutions strategy and initiative. This work aligned the U.S. market approach with the broader global strategy for professional end users and established a scalable, nationwide support structure.
