Harley-Davidson, Inc. Conducts Annual Shareholder Meeting
2009年4月26日 - 3:56AM
PRニュース・ワイアー (英語)
Shareholders Elect Four Directors MILWAUKEE, April 25
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today
held its annual shareholder meeting at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Jim Ziemer, retiring Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson,
Inc., provided an update on business progress to more than 500
shareholders in attendance. "We take great pride in the heritage of
our company," Ziemer said. "And in the context of today's economic
environment, we're especially proud of the fundamental durability
of Harley-Davidson and the remarkable resilience that our people
have demonstrated repeatedly over the past 106 years." During
today's meeting, the Company announced that the Harley-Davidson
Board of Directors has elected current Director Barry Allen as
Chairman of the Board, effective today. Allen, 62, succeeds Jeffrey
Bleustein, who did not stand for re-election. Bleustein, 69, was
Chairman for the past 11 years and a member of the Harley-Davidson
Board for 13 years. He retired as CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. in
2005. Allen, a 35-year telecommunications executive, currently
serves as Senior Advisor to Providence Equity Partners as well as
President of Allen Enterprises. Allen has been a member of the
Harley-Davidson Board for 17 years. "On behalf of the entire Board
and the Company's shareholders, we thank Jeff for his commitment
and many contributions to Harley-Davidson over the years," said
Allen. "It is a true honor to follow him as Chairman of this great
company." Shareholders elected four directors at the meeting.
Elected as directors to serve until the 2012 annual meeting of
shareholders were Martha Brooks, who is new to the Board; and
returning directors Don James, Jim Norling and Jim Ziemer. Brooks
has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Novelis Inc.
since 2007, and recently announced plans to retire from Novelis in
early May. Brooks is also a director of International Paper
Company. The Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.10
per share for the second quarter of 2009 to be payable June 19,
2009 to holders of record of the Company's common stock on June 4,
2009. Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young as the Company's
auditor for 2009; and approved the Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2009
incentive stock plan. Shareholders also approved a non-binding
shareholder proposal to reorganize the Board of Directors into one
Class, elected annually. The Company said the Board would consider
the matter at an upcoming meeting. Presiding over his last meeting
as CEO, Jim Ziemer reflected on his 40-year career at
Harley-Davidson and introduced to shareholders Keith Wandell, who
will succeed him as President and CEO on May 1, 2009. "Leading this
company has been a true privilege," said Ziemer. "I've seen many
remarkable things over those 40 years. Harley-Davidson has grown
from a company that made only 20 thousand motorcycles a year, to
become one of the world's leading brands. I have great conviction
that Harley-Davidson will emerge from the current downturn strongly
positioned for the future." Company Background Harley-Davidson,
Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing
business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), Buell Motorcycle
Company (Buell), MV Agusta and Harley-Davidson Financial Services
(HDFS). Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom,
touring and cruiser motorcycles. Buell produces American sport
performance motorcycles. MV Agusta produces premium,
high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agusta(R)
brand and lightweight sport motorcycles sold under the Cagiva(R)
brand. HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance
programs primarily to Harley-Davidson and Buell dealers and
customers. Web site: http://www.harley-davidson.com/ DATASOURCE:
Harley-Davidson, Inc. CONTACT: Media: Bob Klein, +1-414-343-4433,
or Financial: Amy Giuffre, +1-414-343-8002 Web Site:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/
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