Harley-Davidson, Inc. has named Matthew S. (Matt) Levatich, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, to succeed Keith Wandell as President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. upon Wandell’s retirement May 1, 2015. Levatich has also been elected, through Board action, to the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors.
Levatich, 50, joined Harley-Davidson in 1994. Prior to becoming President and COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Company in May 2009, he held wide-ranging roles in the U.S. and Europe. Past leadership roles include Vice President and General Manager of Harley-Davidson’s Parts and Accessories business, Vice President of Materials Management, and President and Managing Director of the Company’s former MV Agusta business.
“It’s a great honor to become the next CEO of this iconic company,” said Levatich. “As we look to the future, we believe there are tremendous opportunities to build on our many strengths. Harley-Davidson is one of the world’s most-powerful and revered brands, and through our strategies to provide unrivaled products and experiences for our customers, we aim to extend our reach and work to realize our full potential as a growing global company.”
Wandell, 65, became President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. May 1, 2009, and was elected Board Chairman in February 2012. During his tenure, the Company launched groundbreaking motorcycles, transformed manufacturing through a restructuring that is generating more than $300 million in annual savings and made significant gains in reaching new customers by growing international markets and sales to outreach segments in the U.S.
“Keith has been a transformational and visionary leader who joined Harley-Davidson at a critical juncture in its history,” said Richard Beattie, Independent Lead Director. “He developed strong leaders throughout the company and at the same time transformed how Harley-Davidson does business. We owe a huge debt of gratitude and thanks to Keith for Harley-Davidson’s many achievements and advances under his leadership.”
Wandell has chosen not to stand for election to another term on the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors at the Company’s annual shareholder meeting April 25, 2015. Beattie will assume the role of Board Chairman at that time.
