Between the 2nd Annual AIMExpo in Orlando and Biketoberfest in Daytona, Florida was the epicenter of the powersports industry for a week, which made it the perfect time and place to announce that V-Twin industry leader Bob Kay joined the team at Marketplace Events

 Motorcycle Group, producers of theAmerican International Motorcycle Expoas V-Twin Director. Long-time Harley dealerswill remember Kay from his days withNEMPCO, Biker’s Choice/Tucker Rockyand American IronHorse. “While theAmerican V-Twin community stands out as a strong segment on its own, joining together as a unified force with AIMExpo’s forward-thinking platform will lead to positive gains for all,” says Kay. “I am very excited to join the responsive leadership on the Motorcycle Group team and take the point on their efforts to create a genuine and viable offering for the V-Twin market, and leveraging the strengths of AIMExpo to help grow the V-Twin industry.”

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Heads up! Industry veteran Scott Holbrooks has left mega-dealership Iron Pony Motorsports to join a helmet manufacturing consortium. “I am joining H&H Sports Protection as their National Sales Manager,” says an elated Holbrooks. “I am very excited about being part of this team and having the opportunity to work with some long-time friends. I’m ready for the challenges and adventures that await me.” For those of you who don’t know the name, H&H is based in Bergamo, Italy and makes the Just 1, Torc and Orgine helmet lines, among other products.

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More helmet happenings! Phil Ammendolia has headed to Skully to help with the launch of their Heads Up Display (HUD) helmet line. “Working with LS2 Helmets for the past several years has been an amazingly good experience and I love the brand and the crew there,” says Ammendolia. “But the one constant in this universe is change. A few weeks ago, I was offered a new position with Skully Helmets. Skully has developed the first true head up display (HUD) available in the motorcycle business, and this technology promises to offer new levels of safety to motorcyclists everywhere. It’s very early on, but I think the day will come when this will be as common in a helmet as a radio is in a car.” For those interested, visit www.skullyhelmets.com.

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Tooling up! Specialty tool and motorcycle component manufacturing

  Motion Pro is staffing up, including addingJoseph Lopez to further develop the company’s growing Products and R&D departments. Lopez spent the past decade atK&L Supply where he was instrumental in bringing many successful products to market. “I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that is committed to continued growth and leadership in the Powersports industry,” says Lopez.

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K&L Supply Co. announces that KC Cho is the new GM. Cho is responsible for the day-to-day operations and reports directly to theCEO Joseph Lee. Cho most recently served as CEO and director of finance at V-Twin industry giant Custom Chrome Inc. K&L also announced that Grace Son has joined the company as accounting manager. She has more than 16 years of experience and great knowledge in the operations, accounting, finance and HR.

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Do you have a passion for powersports? Do you own one or more of the following:motorcycle (on or off-road), snowmobile, ATV or UTV?

If so, then Motorcycle IndustryJobs.comhas the gig for you! Western Power Sportsis looking for a marketing director to communicate the vision for the distributor and it’s brands like FLY Racing and Kabuto Helmets. Apply at: www.motorcycleindustryjobs.com.

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Changing of the guard: Kit Palmer takes over at Cycle News, replacing

 long-time editor Paul Carruthers. Palmer is being promoted from off-road editor to editor. “I’m disappointed to see Paul leave after all these years, but I wish him well in his new endeavors. I definitely have some big boots to fill, but look forward to my new challenges as the editor.” Meanwhile Carruthers moves on to become communications manager forMotoAmerica, the company that will produce the North American Road Racing Series beginning in 2015. “Moving forward, we are thrilled that Kit Palmer will be stepping into the editor’s role,” says Don Becklin, president of the MAG Media Group which owns Cycle News and MotorcycleUSA.com. “His experience and passion is exactly what the organization needs to propel Cycle News into the future. I believe that readers and the motorcycle industry can look forward to seeing Kit’s stamp on the iconic Cycle News brand.” Becklin notes they are searching for an additional editor to help Kit and associate editor Andrea Wilson.

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Former Bonnier (owners of Cycle World andMotorcyclist among other titles) integrated account rep and industry veteran Michael Kula is now the National Sales Director for EPG Media/Rider Magazine. Long-time dealers may remember him calling on their stores back in the 1990s: Before getting into the PR and media portions of the powersports industry, Kula started as a sales/marketing guy for DG Performance and was later with watercraft aftermarket leader WestcoastPerformance Products. More recently he handled the Yamaha and Scorpion Helmetsaccounts at Marshall Advertising & Design.

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Jody Perewitz, the world’s fastest woman on a V-Twin, is now on the

 business fast track. After going 208 mph. at the Bonneville salt flats, Jody is now in the hot seat at the legendary New England custom shop, Cycle Fab. Custom painter and industry icon Dave Perewitz has gone back to his roots, now focusing his time and efforts on doing what he does best, custom paint design. Jody will be assuming the majority of day-to-day management and other duties for Cycle Fab. “Dad is truly a master among custom painters and the stress that goes with running the operation, not to mention all the TV and other media obligations, left precious little time to light up the spray gun and do his magic,” says Jody. Get more details at www.perewitz.com.

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Bob Sporka brings his years of distributor,wholesale and retail experience to theSamson Exhaust sales team. Bob will be responsible for the timely supply of Samson’s Big Guns, Street Sweepers, Legend Series and the popular Cholo Longtail line from the Sturgis-based manufacturer. “I’m really looking forward to supporting this great group,” says Sporka. “To be allowed to work with Kenny Price, a gentleman and businessman I’ve respected for years, was the icing on the cake.”