SHIFTING GEARS

Roadracer turned road rep Andreas Zivic is now calling on Parts Unlimited dealers in the Gulf Coast Region. An avid rider and racer, Zivic has competed in WERA (Twins & Superbike) and local enduro racing. In addition to riding, he is involved with the Jamie James Champions Riding School and has a wealth of sales experience. During his free time, he enjoys custom cars, wakeboarding and snowboarding.

Gunnar Heinemeyer is hitting the road and taking his extensive V-Twin knowledge to a post-pandemic new world in a salesfocused role as the new HardDrive Brand Sales Manager. Heinemeyer joined Western Power Sports in 2013, working to both develop the HardDrive team and expand HardDrive product offerings. “Gunnar has provided a steady hand to manage internal processes across all facets of the V-Twin/HardDrive segment. In this new role, he will be working to bring a dedicated focus to HardDrive sales efforts, actively working in the field to capture new vendors while further cultivating existing vendor relationships,” according to WPS. “He will also be uniquely positioned to provide invaluable direct-from-market insights to Krys Brown and the V-Twin/HardDrive team, ensuring that WPS continues to meet and exceed the expectations of the market and our valued customers.”

“Friday was my last day at the AMA,” Matthew Miles posted on social media February 12, 2021 as he departed the American Motorcyclist Association’s publications staff. “While my stay was much shorter than I anticipated, I was able to collaborate with a fantastic communications team—

Jim Witters, Mark Lapid, Dustin

Goebel and Gina Gaston—and many others whose remarkable work behind the scenes often goes unheralded. Thanks to the artists and writers who contributed photography, illustrations and words during the past 10 months: Gary Boulanger, Phil

Buonpastore, David Christian, Paul Dean, David Dewhurst, Steve English, David Goldman, Maria Guidotti, Jim Hatch, Jeff Kardas, Rich Lee, Michael Lichter, Michael Marino, Chris Martin, Neil Morrison, Pete Peterson, Wayne Rainey, Brett Smith, Peter Starr, John

L. Stein, Cory Texter and Andrew Wheeler. “I hope to see all of you somewhere down the road — on two wheels, of course.” Meanwhile Mitch Boehm shifts gears from Thunder Press to replace Matthew Miles at AMA. The American Motorcyclist Association announces the appointment of the longtime motorsports journalist and motorcycle industry veteran as Editorial Director, in addition to other changes in the communications department. In his new role, Boehm serves as editor-in-chief of all AMA media properties, including American Motorcyclist magazine and americanmotorcyclist.com. “Mitch’s editorial expertise, wide-ranging industry experience and keen perspective are a perfect match for our mission,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We welcome his new energy and fresh ideas on shining the spotlight on American motorcyclists and spreading the word about the work of the AMA to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.” Boehm has 36 years of motorcycle industry experience, including a staff position at Cycle World as well as a 15-year stint as editor-in-chief at Motorcyclist magazine from 1993 to 2008. He worked as an R&D expert for American Honda in the early 1990s, arranged, co-wrote and edited Malcolm Smith’s acclaimed Malcolm! The Autobiography in 2015, was American Flat Track’s communications director in 2018-19, and most recently was editorin-chief of Thunder Press magazine. “Compelling storytelling really is my sweet spot,” said Boehm, who now reports to AMA COO James Holter. “American Motorcyclist has some serious history and tons of potential given the current media landscape, and it’s going to be fun working alongside Rob, James and Creative Services Director Mark Lapid. We’ve got some fresh thinking in store for the magazine as well as for our digital efforts, and you’ll see some of this starting with the April issue.”

Continued from page 18

“Esteemed Managing Editor Kali Kotoski will be taking over the reins at Thunder Press,” says Mitch Boehm. “I’ll continue to contribute here, but will also be working with the guys and gals at Rider and Powersports Business. Congrats, Kali!” The new editor adds, “If 2020 has shown us anything, it is to not take anything for granted and there is no more time for excuses! Cliches be damned, because it is true. Let’s all get out there and have some fun!”

Also joining the AMA staff is National Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, a respected 25-year industry veteran specializing in advertising, media, sponsorships and industry partnerships. With a 12-year tenure at Cycle News and a 15-year stint at Transworld Media, Hayashi brings considerable experience to the AMA. “It’s an honor to join the AMA team, being a long-time member and an obvious motorcycle enthusiast,” says Hayashi. “Having worked in the motorcycle advertising media side for the last 25 years, I look forward to working with AMA partners, advertisers and sponsors going forward. The year 2020 was, in a lot of cases, a year of growth for the motorcycle industry and I believe 2021 will be even brighter.”

20

Steve Gotoski, formerly AMA Director of Business Development, is transitioning to a new role as the AMA Director of

Industry Relations & Business

Memberships. Gotoski will focus on elevating benefits to the AMA’s 200,000-plus members by cultivating the association’s numerous relationships within the industry, improving business member communication and value and increasing the scope of strategic partnerships. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to manage a key area of the AMA,” Gotoski said. “Our relationships within the industry are essential to the AMA’s ability to protect and preserve motorcycling for current and future generations, and I look forward to serving our members and industry partners to the best of my ability.” Gotoski will continue to be based in Menifee, CA, reporting to Holter. Industry types with questions on corporate membership can email:

sgotoski@ama-cycle.org

Lee Edmunds retires from Honda “Yesterday 3/1/21 was my last day at American Honda. The awesome team that I work with I will cherish them and the memories.” Most recently the Division Head, Powersports Marketing at American Honda Motor Company, Inc. He had been with Honda since 1988 after starting as a sales rep calling on dealers in the Western U.S.

Jason Tolleson, Harley-Davidson’s government affairs manager, is the newest member of the Motorcycle

Industry Foundation Board Of

Trustees. “I welcome the opportunity to serve on the board of trustees and work with the talented team at MSF,” says Tolleson. “It is a great privilege to collaborate with the other trustees and MSF staff in developing and delivering quality motorcycle training for new and experienced riders alike.” MSF VP of training operations Robert Gladden adds, “We’re grateful for the continued backing from each MSF member company and the ongoing engagement by our trustees. Working with them, the MSF team is looking to build on the successes of 2020 and maintain support for the training community across the country and around the globe.”

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