Motorcycle Industry Council Elects Steve Johnson, Don Emde and Frank Esposito
Motorcycle Industry Council Elects Steve Johnson, Don Emde and Frank Esposito to 2011 Board of Directors
New Directors to Represent Aftermarket/Allied Trades Members
for Next Two Years
Irvine, Calif., – The final results of the 2011 Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors election are in. Three Directors, representing aftermarket/allied trades members, were chosen to serve the two-year term which expires in 2013.
Newly elected Director Steve Johnson, President and COO of Tucker Rocky Distributing, will join reelected Directors Frank Esposito, President, Kendon Industries, Inc. and Don Emde, Owner and President, Don Emde, Inc., on the 12-director board, six of whom are elected and six who are appointed by OEMs.
“As we continue our focus on reviving the powersports industry in 2011, we look forward to the vital perspectives offered by both our new and returning Directors,” said Tim Buche, President and CEO, Motorcycle Industry Council. “We are excited to gain Steve’s valuable insights from his many years at Tucker Rocky Distributing, a leader in aftermarket distribution and longtime Member of the MIC.”
The remaining three elected Directors will serve one more year of their two-year term that expires in February 2012: Eric Anderson, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Motorsport Aftermarket Group; Mark Blackwell, Vice President-Motorcycles, Polaris Industries, Inc. and MIC Chairman Larry Little, CEO, The Little Group.
The above join the six Directors appointed by the motorcycle manufacturer/distributor members who pay market share dues: Ray Blank, Senior Vice President, Motorcycle Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Steve Bortolamedi, Senior Communications Manager, American Suzuki Motor Corp.; Jon-Erik Burleson, President, KTM North America, Inc.; Pieter De Waal, Vice President, BMW Motorrad USA; Roger Hagie, Director, Public Affairs, Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA and Dennis McNeal, Vice President-Motorcycle Operations, Yamaha Motor Corp., USA.
“On behalf of the MIC Board and Members, we would also like to thank outgoing Director Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, Inc., and outgoing Director Sarah Schilke, Marketing and Technical Communications Manager, Schuberth North America, for their four years of service,” said Buche. “As the first female Director to serve on the board, Sarah brought a fresh perspective to our decision-making process, while Paolo’s enthusiasm to introduce new riders to our sport was shared and appreciated by all. I am confident that our newly elected Directors will continue to build upon their significant contributions.”
MIC’s Members with voting status submitted ballots by mail or the electronic voting site. Election results were independently tabulated by Hall & Jones, CPA.
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment firms, media companies and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office near Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.
