SHIFTING GEARS

Harley-Davidson has appointed Edel O’Sullivan as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). O’Sullivan will replace existing CCO Larry Hund, who retires from The Motor Company following 18 years of service, on April 2, 2021. Effective March 1, O’Sullivan will bring her extensive omnichannel experience to the motorcycle market, focusing on commercial excellence and organizational change. “Edel has an excellent track record of effectively building commercial and organizational strategies, based on clear market and consumer insights, that deliver strong financial and operational results,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “She will bring new perspectives and capabilities to our leadership team as we execute the priorities of our 5-year strategy, The Hardwire.” Most recently a partner at Bain & Company for the past 14-years, she led the development of major corporate transformations, including the strategic delivery of profitable growth initiatives across multiple industries, with an emphasis on retail, advanced manufacturing and OEMs. Previously O’Sullivan worked in financial planning and analysis for Procter & Gamble. O’Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela, and an MBA with distinction, from Harvard Business

School.

Meanwhile, Larry Hund, 64, will work with O’Sullivan through the transition to ensure a consistent handoff. Before becoming CCO, Hund had been President of HDFS for 11 years. Harley will continue to leverage Hund’s experience as he remains chairman of the Harley-Davidson Financial Services Board of Directors. “I want to thank Larry for his 18 years of hard work and dedication to HarleyDavidson,” said CEO Jochen Zeitz. “I am most grateful that he took on the challenge to help build and transform the newly structured global commercial operation as part of the Rewire over the last year. Larry has been an outstanding leader and I look forward to his continued contribution as chairman of HDFS.” Hardwire is Harley’s 20212025 strategic plan targeting long-term profitable growth and shareholder value and aiming to enhance its position as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world.

S&S Cycle announced that president Paul Langley will depart the company in late March. “This company has been my #1 life priority and I have dedicated most of my waking hours to its success,” said Langley. Bringing Indian back to American Flat Track Racing (winning four championships in the process) and support Royal Enfield’s fledgling efforts with BTR are just a couple of the feathers in his cap. “During Paul’s tenure, the company has seen strong growth, including the addition of an exhaust manufacturing facility, an industry-first focus on emissionscompliant performance parts and a product diversification that now includes parts for Indian and Royal Enfield machines,” said S&S Chairman of the Board Mark Platt. “My family has been incredibly supportive of my nonstop work life and it’s now time to give back to them,” said Langley. “It saddens me to leave the company, but I’m at a point in my life that I need to focus on their priorities first.” S&S plans to consider internal as well as external candidates and will immediately begin looking for a successor. “I would like to thank all of the S&S team for their commitment and I feel the company will continue on the road to success for many decades to come,” concluded Langley.

Slick move! As part of the recent change of ownership, Long-time LeMan’s stalwart Brad Kruckenberg has been named president of Klotz Synthetic Lubricants. “Brad Kruckenberg’s resume and loyalty speak for themselves,” said Cometic CEO Bob Gorman, the new owner of Klotz. “I’ve known Brad going all the way back to the ‘80s. His business acumen is second to none and his experience in building some of the most visible brands within the LeMans’ portfolio is very impressive. Brad’s family values and his personality go hand-in-hand with our group. We’re pleased to announce his hiring and are very confident in his

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ability to lead Klotz into the future.” A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Kruckenberg literally climbed the corporate ladder from the very bottom rung. The Wisconsin native began his career with the LeMans Corporation in 1987 as a part-time warehouse worker and forged a path over the next 33 years to become the General Manager of Moose

Racing, Moose Utility Division, Z1R

Helmets and Arctiva snow gear.

Let there be light… Oracle Lighting, a leader in innovative LED solutions for the powersports, motorcycle and marine markets, has promoted Melissa Parker-Boudreaux to national sales manager. “We are pleased to welcome Melissa to her new position and look forward to her success in guiding our continued growth as we close out another record-setting year,” said Oracle CEO Tiffanie Hartenstein. “Pairing her dedicated experience with the company and our focus on innovation, we are confident that this positioning will be an integral part of reaching the ambitious goals we have set for our future.” Parker-Boudreaux will be responsible for leading Oracle Lighting’s inside and outside sales teams and managing upper-level distributor accounts. “Moving into this new position, I see a tremendous opportunity to continue growing key markets and look forward to building higher-quality relationships with current and future customers,” added Parker-Boudreaux. “Supporting our internal team and external representatives, I will focus on driving revenue growth as well as promoting

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brand awareness and improving the overall customer experience.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council has named Rick Alcon of Team R&S Powersports Group in New Mexico, chairman of the MIC Dealer Advisory Council. “Since 2013, the Dealer Advisory Council has been an important conduit between riders, dealers, OEMs, aftermarket companies and the MIC Board of Directors,” explains Erik Pritchard, president and CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Council. “As our industry continues the work to manage legislative issues, create enhanced distribution channel experiences, and promote ridership, the MIC Dealer Advisory Council is poised to play an increasingly important role in the industry,” adds Alcon. “We look forward to being more accessible to MIC dealer members and developing a stronger, more meaningful relationship with the MIC Board of Directors. Together we can further our mutual goal of guiding the powersports industry into the future.” Alcon has served as Team R&S Powersports Group president and CEO for the past 35 years. He is also the chairman for the New Mexico OHV Program Advisory Board, a multiyear chairman of a 20 Group, a member of the New Mexico Motorcycle Dealers Leadership Board and a lifelong member of the American Motorcyclist Association. “Rick brings decades of industry and leadership experience, which will help continue to make the DAC an invaluable resource for dealers across the country,” notes Pritchard. Alcon was selected by the members of the current MIC DAC, including Curtis Sloan, Sloan’s

Motorcycle ATV; Kim Harrison, Coleman PowerSports; Bob Althoff, Farrow Harley-

Davidson (and owner of Dealernews); and Kevin Lackey, Freedom Powersports. Hey PA dealers, have you met Mike Kruszewski yet? He is the Drag Specialties sales rep covering Pennsylvania in the Northeast region. According to the powers that be, he brings a vast knowledge of parts and V-Twin experience to the road warrior role, having served in managerial roles on the dealer level. He has also been riding nearly his entire life and has owned more than 100 HarleyDavidson motorcycles. He currently owns a number of Harleys, ranging a 1974-2016 and from a chopper to full boat dresser. In his free time, he enjoys riding with his girlfriend and camping.

Cold enough for you? Central Region rep Joe Little has been trying to bring a little personal warmth to Parts Unlimited dealers in his new territory. Little has plenty of experience as a parts manager at a dealership, so he knows what it is like to be on your side of the counter. He loves streetbikes and actively participates in track days. He also enjoys ATVs, dirtbikes and mountain biking with his brother-inlaw — ATV pro racer, Cole Richardson. Outside of riding, his interests include wakeboarding, visiting historical places and spending time with his son.