JOCHEN ZEITZ APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON
05/07/2020
Milwaukee, May 7, 2020 - Harley-Davidson announced today that Jochen Zeitz with immediate effect to President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was appointed. Zeitz has been the acting President and chief executive officer. Zeitz will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. As previously mentioned, Thomas Linebarger, an independent member of the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors since 2008, has been appointed Chairman Director.
Linebarger said: „In view of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 crisis and recovery, and in view of the significant changes required in the company, the consolidation of Jochen as chief executive officer both the Board of Directors' trust in him and Jochen's commitment to leading the company in these extraordinary times.
His two decades of experience as a Chairman & CEO of a global leader and brand, and his enthusiasm and determination to challenge everything about the company based on his turnaround experience, are exactly what we need now to Harley-Davidson to long-term success. He has the unequivocal support of the Executive Board. “
Before Zeitz Chairman, Acting President and CEO in February, he had been a member of the Board of Directors since 2007. Harley-Davidson Board of Directors and founded the Brand and Sustainability Committee (Sustainability Committee) of the company. From 1993 to 2011, he was Chairman for eighteen years and chief executive officer from Puma and from 1993 to 2005 also CFO from PUMA. Zeitz remained chairman of Puma, after being appointed CEO of the Sport and Lifestyle division of the luxury goods company Kering (formerly PPR) from 2011 to 2012. From 2012 to 2016, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Kering.
Zeitz said: „My decision is in agreement with the Executive Board, President and chief executive officer from Harley-Davidson my deep passion and commitment to this company. In this extraordinary time of crisis, the well-being of our H-D-Community is my top priority when I am planning our COVID-19 response plan to stabilize the business, resume operations and recover.
I am also undertaking a necessary and comprehensive review of the company structure, operating model and strategy as we adapt to the new post-COVID-19 realities. Over the next few months, we will rewire the business and later this year we will launch a new 5-year strategic plan define. I will then monitor the implementation of these changes and Harley-Davidson as one of the most respected and well-known brands in the world. “
Picture credits: Harley-Davidson Milwaukee
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