This week I’d like to recognize two gentlemen that are at the forefront of guiding the motorcycle industry into the future. Chuck Boderman and Bill Jenkins. Both were recently elected to the Motorcycle Industry Council as the Chair (Boderman) and Vice-Chair (Jenkins) – PRESS RELEASE BELOW
But here is where this gets a bit more interesting. Some of us that have been around for a while will remember that both of these men have a New Jersey powersports connection. Back in the late 80s, Chuck was the Honda Sales Manager in the New Jersey area and Bill Jenkins was the General Manager at the old Woodbridge Kawasaki before joining the Kawasaki corporate team in various roles.
Although I don’t get to see them often, I call both gentlemen friends and am extremely proud of their new appointments.
Good luck guys, I can’t wait to see where your leadership takes our industry.
Motorcycle Industry Council Announces New Board Officers
Irvine, Calif., December 7, 2021 — The Motorcycle Industry Council has unveiled new officers for its board of directors and the results of the 2021 board election. Chuck Boderman, vice president, General Administration Business Unit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., assumes the chairmanship after Paul Vitrano, senior assistant general counsel, Indian Motorcycle and Polaris Inc. steps down. Vitrano will be joining the executive leadership team of a new company operating the GEM and Taylor-Dunn businesses being divested by Polaris. Bill Jenkins, senior vice president of sales and operations for Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., was elected vice-chair. Jim Woodruff, CEO of National Powersport Auctions remains the board’s secretary/treasurer.
“I have been honored to have been affiliated with the MIC, in various capacities, for over 20 years,” Vitrano said. “I am proud that the MIC has been and remains the organization to which the industry turns when there is a significant challenge, like the lead ban or COVID restrictions – or opportunity, like fostering collaboration between OEMs, the aftermarket and dealers or growing ridership. I wish the board and the staff the best as they carry on this legacy.”
“I’m honored to have the confidence of my fellow board members to fill the role of chair of the board for the Motorcycle Industry Council, and I look forward to helping our industry meet the opportunities of the 21st century,” Boderman said. “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Paul Vitrano for his leadership and numerous contributions through his storied tenure, first as MIC outside counsel, then as staff, and finally as board chair for four years. Paul oversaw a tremendous period of change for the association, most notably leading the board’s market expansion efforts. His leadership and friendship will be missed across our industry.”
“We are indebted to Paul for his leadership and drive, which have helped us to this pivotal time in our history, expanding our Ride With Us market expansion effort. It is a privilege to serve on the board as vice-chair to help usher in this period of growth for our industry,” Jenkins said.
ACROSS THE INDUSTRY
Concurrent with Vitrano’s departure from the MIC Board is his resignation from the American Motorcyclist Association Board of Directors.
“Paul has been an invaluable member of our Executive Committee and we will miss his contributions,” said AMA Board Chair Russ Ehnes. “He leaves behind a legacy of remarkable achievements in powersports, which have advanced not only the industry as a whole, but also our motorcycling community.”
MIC ELECTION RESULTS
The results of the 2021 board elections also concluded with Robin Hartfiel, editor of Dealernews, Rod Lopusnak, general manager of Triumph Motorcycles America, and Woodruff reelected for additional two-year terms.
“This is a pivotal time for the powersports industry,” Woodruff said. “The MIC and its members play a crucial role and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve a fourth term on the MIC board and continuing my contributions as secretary/treasurer.”
“It is an honor to be reelected to this board of amazing industry leaders,” Lopusnak said. “Now it’s my turn to give back to our incredible industry that has given me so much, both personally and professionally, especially as we are all faced with unique challenges which we have not seen before.”
“The past two years have been a wild ride, but the work is just getting started as we address the ridership initiative, the EV revolution, a radically changed business landscape, legislative issues, land use, and a host of concerns that impact the entire powersports industry,” Hartfiel concludes. “I am honored to continue serving on the MIC Board for another term and looking forward to advancing our industry in a post-pandemic era.”
ABOUT THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, data communications standards, and involvement in 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 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. Keep up with the industry association on Twitter @followMIC and at MIC.org.
What is Friends Stuff Friday? I am fortunate to have some incredibly talented friends and acquaintances, and I got to thinking, how can I let the world know about them and what they do? That’s where this post comes in. Each week, I’ll gather up some of the cool stuff that people I know have done or are involved with and post it here for everyone to see. If you like what they are doing, give them a follow, drop them a message, and let them know how cool what they are doing is. I have to admit, this isn’t an original idea; I did something like it on social media a long time ago; I just felt it was the right time to get it going again. #celebrateyourfriends
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