A lot of new titles at 3700 Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee. Time to change your address book. Matt Levatich, President and COO
of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, announces the following Leadership changes.
“Our current management structure includes three Senior Vice President positions that report to me. These include Manufacturing, which Karl Eberle holds and will continue to hold; Product Development, which Ron Hutchinson recently retired from; and Worldwide Sales, which has remained open. I have decided to re-scope the worldwide sales role into a role focused on the growth and development of our business in international markets. Therefore, I am delighted to announce the promotion of Rod Copes to Senior Vice President of International Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Rod has been with Harley-Davidson since 1993 and has held significant leadership roles in continuous improvement, manufacturing, product marketing, investor relations, and international sales and marketing. In 2007, Rod was promoted to his most recent position, Vice President and Managing Director of our Asia Pacific region, where he successfully grew sales and market share there during 2008.
Reporting to Rod in this new role will be Mark Van Genderen, Vice President and Managing Director of our Latin America region and Rob Lindley, Managing Director of Harley-Davidson Europe, Middle East and Africa. Rod will begin immediately to seek a successor to lead the Asia Pacific region.
This new structure will also allow me to focus more of my time working directly with Jeff Merten, Vice President and General Manager, North American Sales, and his team on the issues and opportunities we face in the critical U.S. market, which remains 70 percent of our total business. Additionally, I have decided to not fill the Senior Vice President of Product Development role vacated by Ron Hutchinson.
As a result, the following senior leaders will now report directly to me: Willie G. Davidson, Senior Vice President and Chief Styling Officer; Bob Farchione, Vice President, OE Engineering; Michelle Kumbier, Vice President and General Manager of Materials Management; and Scott Miller, who I am pleased to announce has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager of PACT (Parts, Accessories, CVO and Trike).
Rounding out my operations team are Tim Hoelter, Vice President, Government Affairs, Steve Phillips, Vice President Quality, Operational Excellence and Technical Service, Joanne Bischmann, Vice President, Licensing and Special Events, and Patrick Smith, Vice President of General Merchandise. Joanne and Patrick, together with Scott Miller, form the core of leadership dedicated to seeking growth opportunities for the motorcycle-related products business and supporting Jeff and Rod in reaching our full potential with the worldwide dealer network. Further supporting our work in the Motor Company and reporting to me are Dave Baldwin, Director, Organizational Development and Pat Thomson, Senior Executive Assistant.
As all of you are well aware, there has been a great deal of change in our industry over the past couple of years, and I am confident that this structure will enable our current business needs and that we have the right leaders in the right roles. These changes are effective immediately” Matt Levatich
Who cares?????
Over & Out,
Jeff
I’m impressed with whoever sourced this, cause it’s internal communication (used to work for the Motor Company). I know most of these folks. They’re talented and hard working, and obviously have a serious mountain to climb. For all its criticisms, don’t forget that H-D’s success over the last 25 years has brought the fun and passion of motorcycling to many people who might not have otherwise ever had the desire. I for one wish these folks the best of luck in their immediate challenges. How would you like to be sitting in one of these chairs knowing what June sales reporting will bring in the way of publicity?
Hi Cyril
I am looking for background info on Rod Copes, Rob Lindley, Stuart Ferral and Paul de Jongh for an artical I’m working on…can you assist?
Jacques Maritz
Cape Town
South Africa
jmps@worldonline.co.za
Readers should take a little time to research Harley because their involvment in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War should make us proud that Harley was around to, not only provide the transportation needed, but also to train the men needed to repair the motorcycle out in the wilderness and desert. Here a horah, horah, to all the Harley staff!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cecelia