Harley-Davidson has introduced that Artie Starrs, the previous CEO of Topgolf, will take over as President and Chief Govt Officer of Harley-Davidson beginning Oct. 1.
Starrs will exchange Jochen Zeitz, who has been CEO for 5 years after being a member of the board of administrators since 2007. Zeitz will work as a senior advisor to Harley-Davidson till February to easy the transition, and Troy Alstead has been appointed to take over Zeitz’s place as Chairman of the Board.
Zeitz’s management has been controversial, together with backlash from H-D lovers over DEI efforts and shifting some manufacturing to Thailand, the closure of H-D dealerships throughout the nation, and lowering gross sales. Time will inform if the CEO of Topgolf (and Pizza Hut earlier than that) will have the ability to hook up with the Harley-Davidson buyer base and proper the ship.
Discover extra data within the press launch under.
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Harley-DavidsonInc. (“Harley-Davidson” or the “Firm”) (NYSE: HOG) right this moment introduced that its Board of Administrators (“Board”) has appointed Artie Starrs as President and Chief Govt Officer, efficient October 1, 2025. Artie joins Harley-Davidson from Topgolf Callaway Manufacturers, the place he served as CEO of the Topgolf Worldwide, Inc. (“Topgolf”) subsidiary.??
“Artie is an achieved enterprise chief who brings intensive expertise managing robust manufacturers and world operations,” mentioned Troy Alstead, presiding director. “His observe file of delivering top- and bottom-line development, mixed together with his expertise in franchise pushed industries, are each big property for Harley-Davidson at the moment within the Firm’s historical past. Artie understands the particular place Harley-Davidson occupies in tradition and within the lives of our riders. I’m assured that Artie can additional improve this reference to present riders whereas bringing new folks into the H-D group.”?
As CEO of Topgolf, Mr. Starrs was accountable for delivering on the general imaginative and prescient and development of the model and establishing it as one of many premier sports activities leisure firms on the planet. He managed a portfolio of over 100 world leisure venues with over 30,000 workers, with a observe file of driving development and monetary efficiency. Underneath Starrs’ 4 and a half years of management. Topgolf’s revenues grew over 50%, from $1.1 billion in 2021 to $1.8 billion yearly, and the model expanded into 5 extra nations throughout Europe and Asia.
Between 2013 and 2021, Mr. Starrs held management roles at Yum! Manufacturers’ subsidiary, Pizza Hut, most not too long ago as World CEO. Throughout his time at Pizza Hut, Starrs led the model to over 18,000 areas throughout 110 nations. Previous to this function, he was President of Pizza Hut U.S. and earlier than becoming a member of Yum! Manufacturers, he served as Chief Monetary Officer for Rave Cinemas.?Mr. Starrs started his profession as an funding banker at Wasserstein Perella.
Mr. Starrs mentioned, “It’s an enormous privilege to be becoming a member of Harley-Davidson as President and CEO, and I’m grateful for the chance to assist steward this unimaginable firm. I’ve lengthy admired the distinctive place Harley-Davidson has within the hearts of its riders and followers; there is no such thing as a model that brings the identical stage of group and rebellious spirit as Harley-Davidson. I’m excited by the large potential to each drive development and additional improve the H-D expertise for all, and I stay up for working with the devoted Harley-Davidson workers and seller community as we begin this journey collectively.”
Mr. Starrs will be part of the Harley-Davidson Board of Administrators upon assuming the function of CEO. Jochen Zeitz will proceed in his function as Chairman, President, and CEO till October 1, 2025, after which he’ll stay a senior advisor to the corporate by means of February 2026 to facilitate a easy transition.?The Board has appointed Troy Alstead to succeed Mr. Zeitz as Chairman of the Board efficient October 1, 2025.
Mr. Alstead added, “On behalf of all the Board of Administrators, I wish to sincerely thank Jochen for his excellent management and lots of important contributions as Chairman, President, and CEO for over 5 years. This has included the creation and profitable execution of The Hardwire, our five-year strategic plan, along with regular stewardship by means of one of the vital difficult intervals within the Firm’s historical past. Moreover, the Board acknowledges the substantial worth unlocked for the Firm by means of the latest HDFS transaction, which Harley-Davidson will profit from for years to return. We’re grateful for his imaginative and prescient and dedication, and we want him all the perfect sooner or later.”?
“It’s been an honor to guide Harley-Davidson over the previous 5 years and to work alongside such proficient and passionate groups,” mentioned Jochen Zeitz. “I’m extremely pleased with what we’ve achieved collectively, and I wish to thank the Board, the Harley-Davidson management crew, and all our workers for his or her unwavering dedication and arduous work. I go away with the boldness that we’ve laid a robust basis for the Firm’s future. I want Artie each success as he leads Harley-Davidson into its subsequent chapter.”?
