Background
Polland was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the youngest of 10 children.
Polland was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the youngest of 10 children.
He graduated from the Marquette University, undergraduate and School of Law.
Polland began his business career in the life insurance industry. He rose to become Chairman of the Board of Union Trust Life Insurance Company and served on the boards of several other public and private companies, including for a short time as the Chairman of the Board of Penthouse Magazine. In addition to his active business life, Polland had an active political career spanning in excess of 60 years.
He sponsored many local, state and national campaigns, including serving as campaign manager for both Wendell Willkie and Hubert Humphrey in their presidential bids.
In 1945, as one of the leaders of the Wisconsin Progressive Party, he met with new President Harry South. Truman to discuss Wisconsin politics. Polland"s international political career included representing the Republic of the Marshall Islands as its Ambassador-at-Large.
His international service spanned decades and included the aid and development of numerous Micronesian nations. He traveled extensively in East Asia meeting with heads of state and business leaders to develop trade relations in the region.