Not long ago, CEO Jochen Zeitz announced his retirement, and Harley-Davidson revealed it was eying multiple candidates to take over his role. Now, a few months later, we finally know who is taking over the Harley-Davidson cruise ship. And no, he is not from the world of motorcycles, which we’re a bit disappointed about. Let’s dive in.
Harley-Davidson Has Appointed Artie Starrs As President and Chief Executive Officer
The new top man at Harley-Davidson is Artie Starrs, coming straight from the CEO role at Topgolf International, Inc. Along with his role as CEO, Starrs will also join the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors post his official joining in October 2025. Till then, Jochen Zeitz will continue in his role as Chairman, President, and CEO until October 1. Post that, Zeitz will remain a senior advisor to the company through February 2026 to facilitate a smooth transition.
At his last gig, Starrs helped Topgolf’s revenues grow over 50 percent annually, and the brand expanded into five additional countries across Europe and Asia over 4.5 years. Other than this, the top honcho also has experience with globally renowned brands such as Yum! Brands’ subsidiary and Pizza Hut.
Speaking of the matter, Starrs said:
It’s a huge privilege to be joining Harley-Davidson as President and CEO, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help steward this incredible company. I have long admired the unique position Harley-Davidson has in the hearts of its riders and fans; there is no brand that brings the same level of community and rebellious spirit as Harley-Davidson. I’m excited by the tremendous potential to both drive growth and further enhance the H-D experience for all, and I look forward to working with the dedicated Harley-Davidson employees and dealer network as we start this journey together.
With Starrs’ expansive portfolio, we think Harley-Davidson could benefit greatly from this change. The bikemaker desperately needs to branch out and improve its global footprint, which Starrs seems to have an expertise in. Harley has tried its hand at these things in recent times, with bikes like the X 440 and X 350. Neither has hit the mark, however, and nor have they contributed greatly to the financial earnings. In fact, the financial woe clouds are still very much hovering over Harley. Let’s hope that changes soon with Starrs arrival!
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