6 • February 2025 • Powersports Business

Harley-Davidson Inc . has announced that Jonathan Root has been promoted to president of commercial operations . Root will continue to serve as chief financial officer at the Motor Company . Following this change , Root ’ s new title will officially be Chief Financial Officer and President , Commercial .

Root assumed his new responsibilities January 27 , 2025 , and now reports directly to CEO Jochen Zeitz . In this expanded role , Root will assume oversight of global commercial operations while retaining his existing leadership of the finance organization .

“ This promotion reflects Jonathan ’ s strong leadership across a variety of roles at Harley-Davidson and is underpinned by his knowledge and expertise of our business ,” says Jochen Zeitz , chairman , president and CEO of Harley-Davidson Inc .

Root was appointed as Harley-Davidson CFO in June 2023 , having previously held the role of senior vice president at Harley- Davidson Financial Services ( HDFS ), where Root oversaw the global HDFS business ,

as president of Eaglemark Savings Bank , president of Harley-Davidson Insurance and president of all other HDFS subsidiaries . Root joined HDFS in 2011 .

Root holds an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance from Wayne State University .

Jonathan Root will assume his new responsibilities effective January 27 , 2025 , reporting directly to

CEO Jochen Zeitz . Photo curtesy of LinkedIn

EPG Brand Acceleration announces the expansion of its Boating Industry leadership team by repositioning and adding key roles to better support its readership and eventbased audiences .

The announcement was made in advance of the ELEVATE Summit in Charlotte , North Carolina , January 20−22 , 2025 , where Boating Industry ’ s expanded staff gathered with top marine industry leaders to collaborate , cultivate and celebrate over three action-packed days of C-suite level professional education and networking .

Former Editor-In-Chief Adam Quandt remains engaged in a staff capacity exclusively as the Top 100 Program Director , continuing his successful leadership role overseeing Boating Industry ’ s national awards program , which recognizes top retailers , 40 Under 40 young professionals and Women Making Waves .

PSB Associate Editor Madelyn Pegg has been promoted to managing editor of Boating Industry , bringing a wealth of hands-on retail dealership experience and a lifelong passion for boating . Pegg grew up in and around the water , aboard ski boats , pontoons and personal watercraft . As a member of the family-owned Hubbard Powersports dealership , her earliest assignment sweeping floors progressed to assisting in unit assembly and later , inventory management . A journalism graduate with a minor in communications , she launched her post-graduate professional career as associate editor of Powersports Business and co-host of the PSB Power Hour podcast .

David Gee remains actively engaged with EPG Brand Acceleration , overseeing all aspects of the combined marine , powersports and outdoor power equipment conference while also bringing his expertise as a professional speaker and event facilitator to bear . Former editor-in-chief of Boating Industry prior to Quandt , Gee continues to produce and contribute editorial content , assist with PR / communications , and is the popular host of the timely Boating Industry Insider podcast addressing hot topics of interest to the B2B marine community .

Glenn Hansen is also a key contributor to the EPG Brand Acceleration group , including ongoing involvement in major marine initiatives . As a six-year veteran of American Suzuki Motor Corp , he transitioned to the editor role of EPG ’ s former personal watercraft magazine . He continued to build his consumer and trade portfolio , including editorial stints in consumer and OEM motorcycle / powersports and ATV divisions . A former content marketing agency owner , Hansen currently leads EPG ’ s Outdoor Power Equipment business team .

“ Our EPG Boating Industry team brings a great deal of passion and experience to benefit the industry , and we all look forward to reconnecting and spending valuable time together with our colleagues at the ELEVATE Summit in just a few weeks ,” says EPG Brand Acceleration CEO Marion Minor . “ This year ’ s event features multiple top sessions with world-class experts along with specialized panels of industry executives ; the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded colleagues in the marine , powersports , and power equipment communities ; plus , the chance to experience unique venues , including the NASCAR Hall of Fame and The Big Chill , among others .”

PSB Associate Editor Madelyn Pegg has been promoted to managing editor of Boating Industry .