US Motorcycle Industry Council Announced 2015 Board of Director Election Results

Courtesy of Motorcycle Industry Council ©

Ackerman, Emde and Leisner Join Notable Team of Industry Leaders

IRVINE, CA – October 29, 2014 – The Motorcycle Industry Council members have elected Arnold W. Ackerman and Andy Leisner to each serve two-year terms on the 2015 MIC Board of Directors. In addition, Don Emde has been reelected to the MIC board to serve a two-year term and will be returning for his 14th year of service to the board.

“I am honored to be associated with an industry that includes people like Arnie, Don and Andy,” said MIC Board Chair Dennis McNeal. “These are leaders who have been forged in our industry – people who live and breathe motorcycling. They join an already-impressive group of committed board members who are normally fierce competitors outside of the MIC, but who set aside their rivalries to work shoulder-to-shoulder with each other to tackle issues that affect us all, for the benefit of the most important group for all of us, our customers, the riders and racers who keep our industry alive.”

Arnold W. Ackerman is Chairman Emeritus and Founder of Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG). MAG, a 12-year MIC member, has successfully acquired leading brands in the motorsport parts and accessories aftermarket to leverage its combined strength in marketing, advertising and back-office services. Ackerman’s background includes many top positions in the powersports, manufacturing and aerospace industries. He is an experienced businessman, professional investor and lifelong motorcyclist. Ackerman is the current Chair of the MIC Aftermarket/Allied Trades Committee.

Don Emde, publisher/editor-in-chief of Don Emde Inc., brings his vast industry experience with him as he makes his return to the MIC Board. In addition to authoring “The Daytona 200 – The History of America’s Premier Motorcycle Race,” Don and his father hold the distinction of being the only father and son to both win the prestigious Daytona 200 motorcycle road race. Emde has been a member of MIC’s Aftermarket/Allied Trades Committee for over 30 years and has been a Charter Member of the American Motorcyclist Association for 52 years. You will find Emde’s name included on the distinguished lists of inductees into three separate motorcycling halls of fame: Trailblazers HOF, AMA Motorcycle HOF and Sturgis HOF.

Andy Leisner, vice president/group publisher of Bonnier Motorcycle Group (representing 11 motorcycle media brands), began riding motorcycles at the age of six. He raced motorcycles all through his formative years, beginning with amateur motocross and working his way up to the AMA 250 Grand Prix Nationals and the 250 World Championship. Prior to joining Bonnier, he was the managing partner of Hardcard Holdings LLC, as well as holding top positions with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, AMA Pro Racing and Cycle World. He is married with three children, ages 8, 12 and 17.
“It’s true that each person serving on the MIC Board brings with them an impressive resume,” said MIC President and CEO Tim Buche. “However, even more notable is that these leaders feel an intrinsic responsibility to serve motorcyclists and to give back to this industry that has brought each of them such success. It’s a level of dedication that is rarely seen in the not-for-profit sector, and I find each of them personally inspiring.”

Going into 2015, Emde, Ackerman and Leisner join elected directors Larry Little, vice president & general manager, Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group; Steve Menneto, vice president, motorcycles, Polaris Industries Inc.; and Sarah Schilke, head of marketing and PR, Schuberth North America. The remaining directors, appointed by MIC’s maximum-dues-paying member companies, are MIC Board Chair Dennis McNeal, vice president – motorcycle operations, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.; MIC Board Vice Chair Jon-Erik Burleson, president, KTM North America, Inc.; Steve Bortolamedi, senior communications manager, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.; Russ Brenan, senior advisor, government relations & public affairs, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Robert Gurga, vice president, motorcycle division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; and Kris Odwarka, vice president, BMW Motorrad USA.

About The Motorcycle Industry Council

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. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at mic.org.

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