Industry veteran chooses Biker’s Choice. Formerly with Peterson’s Harley-Davidson of Miami (North) and most recently a field sales representative at Drag Specialties, Jeffrey Colon is now with Biker’s Choice.
“To all my motorcycle industry friends: I am excited to announce, I have decided to take a position with Bikers Choice/Tucker Rocky! I have much to do in transition over the next couple of weeks and months,” says Colon.
“I look forward to continuing to work with everyone I know and to creating new and lasting relationships with many more people in the industry I love.” Speaking of love, he got engaged the same weekend he chose Biker’s Choice!
New face for Kuryakyn… In addition to introducing a new look logo at the V-Twin Expo, the aftermarket brand has a couple new personnel postings.
Jeff Wolbers is the Wisconsin brand’s new director of business development. “Jeff is an avid motorcyclist who’s excited for the opportunity to join Kuryakyn and have the chance to be part of the powersports industry again,” says Kuryakyn VP of Brand Management Steve Veltri.
“Jeff has worked with agricultural OEM accounts for the last two years, and this experience combined with his past employment at High Gear Specialties and National Cycle will support his future effort in growing our OEM P&A channel.”
Also on the road for the new look Kuryakyn is events manager John Nasi. “John started his motorcycle industry career more than 19 years ago at Titan Motorcycles before eventually moving on to work with Big Dog Motorcycles and BDM Performance Products,” says Veltri. Most recently with Performance Machine, Nasi is no stranger to the tradeshow and national rallies environment.
For the past three years he served as PM’s Central U.S. Factory Representative, managing the dealer network in 22 states. “John educated the dealer base, trained Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice reps and supported PM’s presence at tradeshows and national rallies across the country,” notes Veltri.
That’s the brakes! Velocity Inc. is now the agency of record for SBS Brakes.
After securing Chris Jensen as brand manager in 2015, SBS sought a consulting and marketing partner. “We hired Velocity due to their long history and knowledge within the riding community, and trust their expertise in executing the deliverables needed to re-focus the brand and develop market share,” explains SBS sales director Christel Munk Pedersen.
Velocity has a 20+ year history serving brands such as Pirelli, Metzeler, Schuberth, VP Fuels and Dirico. “It is always rewarding to expand our client portfolio, especially with European brands,” adds Velocity’s Managing Partner & Creative Director Robert W. Hudepohl Jr. “We truly understand the brand characteristics and how to best translate them to North American success story.”
GasGas getting back on the throttle? It was announced that the troubled trials company had been brought back from bankruptcy at the EICMA motorcycle show last fall and now GasGas Motos North America announces the addition of racer John Barber to support the brand in the eastern U.S. “John is a great fit for GasGas and its great to have him back aboard as we grow the U.S. market,” says Mark Berg of GasGas Motos NA.
“His past experience racing along with his knowledge and relationship with GasGas will help us discover the right new talents.” Barber is a long time professional racer from Pennsylvania and has history with GasGas, winning a National Enduro aboard an EC250 in 2004, several regional titles and competing in multiple ISDEs aboard GasGas machines.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be working with a company that I have such deep history with,” adds Barber. “I look forward to the future of GasGas and what I can do to help in my new role as East Coast Promotions Manager.”
McGraw Powersports has hired former Superbike racer Elena Myers to manage the company’s dealership network in the Pacific Northwest. McGraw was Myer’s sponsor for the 2015 MotoAmerica Superbike program and when newlywed Elena Myers-Court opted to put her road-racing career on hold, McGraw stepped up again. “Elena is a great spokesperson for our brand,” McGraw Powersports CEO John Chu said. “She has credibility in the industry and brings the right experience to our service contract business with our dealerships.”
“I’m excited for this new challenge with McGraw Powersports, which keeps me very much involved in the motorcycle world,” says Myers. “Working with McGraw last year on my racing program, I really enjoyed being an advocate for the company.” Myers finished fifth overall last season, the highest placing by a woman in the 39-year history of the Superbike class. She is also the only female to win a professional motorsports race at Daytona International Speedway. McGraw Powersports sells extended service contracts through Western Service Contract Corp., which is part of the McGraw Group.
