So much for retirement! Former Suzuki exec Larry Vandiver is back in the saddle again. He is now the national sales manager for McKinney, Texas-based Hisun Motors Corp. USA. Dealers may remember him from his 30 years in various stints with Suzuki, including VP Motorcycle/ATV, director of sales and marketing Marine, national promotions and retail finance manager, assistant national sales manager and Western Regional sales manager. “We are very pleased to have Larry as a part of our team,” says Hisun VP of Sales & marketing Ryan Daugherty. “Larry’s vast experience and knowledge has made a positive difference within our sales force in a very short amount of time.” For his part Vandiver adds, “I’m looking forward to using my many years of experience in the powersports industry to help Hisun reach dealers with its vast line of quality UTVs and ATVs. Most dealers don’t know the Hisun story and the excellent products assembled here in McKinney, Texas.”
Also marking a return is Rod Overstreet and spending the summer with Yamaha Finance. “I am excited to announce my return to Torrot/Gas Gas North America,” says the industry vet. “My time at Yamaha Finance this summer was time well spent, and learned quite a bit about a portion of the industry in which I had very limited experience with. However, it didn’t long to realize that I’m not a “money man” but rather my true passion is with the motorsports side of the business. Back to enjoying the balance between my career, family and yes… actually having time to ride a motorcycle again. Back to finding the very best dealers to sell motorcycles,” he says. “My most sincere gratitude to Mr. Ivan Contreras, Mark Berg, Scot Harden and David Martinez for the warm welcome back into the Gas Gas family. I look forward to our future as we work together in bringing the Torrot/Gas Gas brands to the American market. See you all at the races. Just look for the fat old man in the Gas Gas shirt, grinning from ear to ear. That will be me!”
Magazine mayhem: Marc Cook is out as Editor in Chief of Motorcyclist magazine. “I’s been a fantastic four-year ride, and I’ve been blessed with a marvelous group of people as staffers and contributors,” claims Cook. “I have full confidence that ‘my boys’ — who I only called Jackwagons with great affection and respect — will continue to kick ass.” Cook started his storied career at Cycle Guide in 1982 and served a stint at Motorcyclist from 1999 to 2002, sandwiched by jobs writing about and building small aircraft, He rejoined the MC staff in 2012 as Editor In Chief. “Next up, a cross-country move to begin as Content Director at Twisted Throttle,” says. “A new adventure begins!”
More magazine moves: After a decade with Cycle World, senior editor Blake Connor has signed on as Marketing and Content Manager for motorcycling app Rever. “We’re over-the-top excited to have Blake join the Rever team,” said Rever co-founder Justin Bradshaw. “His passion for motorcycling makes him a perfect fit to implement the extensive content and marketing efforts we have planned and his personality is a perfect fit for our passionate team.” Conner adds, “I have worked with Rever’s founders for years and I am a huge fan of the new Rever platform, personally, for my motorcycling adventures. I look forward to sharing Rever with riders around the world and I love that I will be working with my friends in the motorcycle media to build long-lasting partnerships.” Since launching in 2015, Rever users have tracked millions of miles on motorcycle rides in 119 countries. The free Rever app, available on iOS and Android operating systems, works with the Rever website to help riders discover the world’s best roads, create custom routes, track epic rides, compete for bragging rights and share their riding experiences across social platforms: www.rever.co
Yet another publishing type shifts gears as former Scoot! magazine publisher Josh Rogers is now vice president for The Vespa Club of America. “With Mr. Rogers’ 10 years experience in the motorcycle industry and more than 25 years as an enthusiast and a collector, he brings a lot of knowledge and passion,” says Jac Carolan, President Vespa Club of America. Rogers joins the team as the Vespa Club ramps up to celebrate its 25th anniversary rally in Seattle July 6-9th, 2017. “Josh is already working on sites for 2018,” notes Carolan. “In addition he’ll be working on revamping member benefits. We are very excited to welcome him to the team.”
Taylor Dressler is the new Rider Support Manager for AXO America. “I grew up around the sport of motocross and have raced competitively at many MX and off-road events in the Southeast,” she says… and she ain’t just whistling Dixie. She won the Women’s Amateur class championship in the GNCC series in 2012. “I have spent the last few years traveling around the country visiting different tracks and training facilities. I am very familiar with most national, regional and local motocross and off-road events,” she adds. “I am excited to be a part of the AXO team and look forward to working with you and being a part of your racing program.” Looking for AXO support? “Please feel free to call 877-AXO-RACE or e-mail me at any time: [email protected].”
