Tucker Rocky is both promoting from within and bringing in some outside expertise as part of their new Information Technology and Process Excellence Group. Troy Rochat joins Tucker Rocky as a VP and will lead the new group. Rochat has more than 25 years of experience in distribution operations and information technologies. “Leveraging technology and data for competitive advantage while meeting the needs of our customers and vendors will drive growth and success,” claims TR president Eric Cagle. In addition, senior director of marketing Dawn Zassick has moved on and Kenan Ikels will lead the newly formed Marketing Services Group as VP of sales and marketing. This group will handle “traditional marketing products” as well as create new channels and products for marketing support materials designed to help dealers expand their business. “This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tucker Rocky,” said Cagle. “We are very excited about the new organizational structure and the additions to the Tucker team. These changes, along with other recent leadership additions, form the foundation for our growth for the next 50 years.”
In more from TR, Charlie Hadayia Jr. has been named the new VP of purchasing and merchandising. “The new role allows my team and I to continue our never-ending effort of building the most comprehensive portfolio of products that our customers, and in turn their customers, want,” says Hadayia. “Our interaction with dealers will incorporate more education on the products they need, giving us the opportunity to teach them not only about the product itself, but also help them understand how to stock their dealerships based on the needs of the consumer.” Hadayia came to Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice from S&S Cycle back in 2011. “Charlie’s experience and knowledge in the powersports industry made him the perfect choice for this position,” said TR president Eric Cagle.
Kawasaki bumped Bob O’Brien up to senior marketing manager and Ken Essex to PR manager. “Bob and Ken are great members of our marketing team and I know they will excel in their new roles,” said Kawasak VP Marketing & Racing Chris Brull. “Both of these guys have a strong passion for powersports and have worked hard to differentiate Kawasaki in the industry.” O’Brien graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. Business Administration, Marketing. His first experience with KMC came on the agency side with Trisect, and for the last two years, he has served as the western region marketing manager, creating and administering retail-marketing programs at the regional level. In his new role, O’Brien will oversee KMC’s advertising and public relations and will report to Brull. Essex has six years of KMC experience, including four years handling PR for the Monster Energy Kawasaki racing program through Next Level Sports Management, before moving on to KMC and working as the central region marketing manager. Essex will oversee KMC’s public relations department has a master’s degree in sport management from the University of Ottawa and will report to O’Brien.
ODI Grips has landed industry veteran Johnny Jump to serve as powersports sales and marketing manager for both domestic and international markets. Jump was most recently national sales manager for K&N Powersports, and he had more than a decade of experience with Troy Lee Designs as global sales and product manager before that. “Johnny has so much experience in all powersports markets,” said ODI GM Colby Young. “We need someone who can nurture our existing relationships while bringing in new insight to opportunities outside of our core markets. I think with some collaboration with our staff, we can expand into new markets while continuing to develop our core products in moto, off-road and ATV segments.” EDGE Plastics (dba ODI), a family-oriented injection molding company, draws, designs and manufactures each grip in-house, according to Jump. “I’m really looking forward to getting settled in and taking the company to the next level. ODI works very closely with each of their partners to develop products that will work best for their specific type of riding.”
