Zero Motorcycles has announced the appointment of Steve Salyer, Vice President of Operations, Richard Kenton, Director of Customer Service and Floyd Goshorn as Director of Developmental Purchasing. The additions mark Zero’s continuing trend of combining leading motorcycle and technology executives to build a new kind of motorcycle company. With seasoned executives in every key management roll, Zero is now in a position for even more aggressive growth through 2011.
“Strong leadership is essential for us to continue as the premier electric motorcycle manufacturer,” said Gene Banman, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “Steve, Richard and Floyd all have vast experience that perfectly coincide with our goals to build fun and affordable electric motorcycles. Their decision to join Zero Motorcycles in addition to our recent appointment is a clear endorsement that our vision and capabilities will set us above the competition.”
Steve Salyer, a supply chain and electrical engineering veteran who’s professional
experience coincides with his passion for restoring and riding vintage
motorcycles, brings several years of executive management and engineering experience to his new role at Zero Motorcycles. While previously serving as President of Oxford Instruments, Salyer designed and built the company’s newest factory, tripling its capacity and doubling sales in three years. Salyer also authored Oxford Instrument’s quality manual including all protocols and managed the successful implementation of their ISO 9001 certification. During his tenure at Oxford Instruments, Salyer took on the role of ERP administrator while developing the sales, planning and manufacturing process flow. He also designed their NPI process, which is consistent with IFRS requirements, including their master plan, and GDPM. In addition to his many management accomplishments, Salyer holds numerous patents in the X-ray and vacuum tube technology sectors.
Kenton joins Zero Motorcycles with more than 12 years experience in the motorcycle and automotive industries. He has served in both customer service and after sales positions for BMW Motorrad, BMW North America, BMW Canada, Rolls-Royce, MINI and most recently as After Sales Director for Husqvarna Motorcycles. As a lifelong rider, racer, and enthusiast for all things two-wheels, Kenton raced in several specialized championships including the BMW Boxer Cup, Honda Hornet Cup, and the inaugural Husqvarna Supermoto Cup. Kenton has also traversed the east coast of Australia, Ecuador, Asia and many European and North American countries on dual sport motorcycles. He brings a level of passion and adventurous zeal that mirrors his world-class customer service experience to Zero Motorcycles and works to ensure all Zero customer’s needs are handled expeditiously and professionally.
Goshorn comes to Zero Motorcycles with more than 16 years of experience in motorcycle industry purchasing. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the industry, including Harley-Davidson, Buell Motorcycle Company, Milsco Manufacturing (maker of motorcycle seats) and most recently as a manufacturer’s representative for GSK Group (Taiwan) and Kaiping Gada (China) which manufacturer a variety of motorcycle components.
During his time at Buell, Goshorn advanced to a Purchasing Engineer Lead. In this lead position, Goshorn was responsible for the successful integration of supplier components into new vehicle systems, planning and delivery of new products to market, managing quality, cost and timing targets; and engaging suppliers to share and integrate new technology and ideas. In his new role at Zero, Goshorn will be mainly responsible for supplier identification, selection, and development while setting quality, cost and time targets for individual components and ensuring targets are met.
Salyer, Kenton, and Goshorn round out Zero’s current bevy of industry talent which includes John Lloyd, VP of Worldwide Sales, Jay Freidland, VP of Sustainability, Abe Askenazi, VP of Engineering and Edwin Belonje, European Managing Director.
"2010 has been an exceptional year for us,” Banman added. “With four unique electric motorcycles, impressive global activity and world-class talent acquisitions, we have the perfect team in place to make tremendous strides in electric motorcycle technology and we look forward to what 2011 will bring while continuing to raise the bar in the industry.”
