Zero Motorcycles has named Richard Walker its new CEO. Walker comes to Zero with more than 30 years of business experience, with previous positions held at Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Control4. While working for both companies, Walker earned a reputation for his entrepreneurial spirit, ability to optimize operations and, most importantly, aligning resources to accelerate growth.
Walker’s selection as CEO completes the formation of the executive management team at Zero Motorcycles, a process that began more than two years ago. Karl Wharton remains with Zero as COO. Walker’s addition builds on the extensive recruitment of executive staff at Zero, which includes John Borofka, Abe Askenazi, John Lloyd, Jay Friedland, Mark Kennedy and Scot Harden. Zero Motorcycles has consciously sought to team senior executives with motorcycle industry experience along with leaders from other high tech fields to create the ideal blend of background and experience for success in this dynamic new and emerging consumer market.
“The entire board is delighted that Richard is taking the helm of the Zero Motorcycles executive team,” said Philippe Amouyal, board member of Zero Motorcycles and managing director of The Invus Group LLC. “Richard will contribute great business acumen, superb leadership, deep executive management skills and profound consumer insights to drive Zero Motorcycles forward and further enhance its leadership position in a critically important and fast-growing segment of the motorcycle industry and build a powerful, trusted consumer brand. Zero Motorcycles is in the enviable position of benefiting from the combined efforts of a very deep executive team that is committed to its success, to the success of its business partners and to the delight of the fast-growing number of consumers enjoying the thrill and unbridled joy of owning and riding a Zero Motorcycle.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity to join a dynamic team and help lead a new and innovative company to higher levels of performance and success,” said Walker. “My goal is to ensure that Zero Motorcycles continues to grow and lead the electric motorcycle industry through product innovation and sound management, while never losing sight of our goal to build a ‘better motorcycle’ for our customers to enjoy.”