Harley-Davidson appoints Arthur Starrs as CEO, Zeitz to retire in October

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) announced Monday that its board of directors has appointed Arthur Starrs as the company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1. Starrs will also join the company’s board on the same date. The announcement is based on a statement released in a recent SEC filing.

Starrs, age 48, is currently the CEO of Topgolf International, Inc., a subsidiary of Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. He has held that role since 2021. Before joining Topgolf, Starrs served as Global CEO of Pizza Hut from 2019 to 2021 and previously held several executive finance and management positions at Pizza Hut. Starrs also sits on the boards of Five Iron Golf and Dine Brands Global (NYSE:DIN), Inc.

According to the SEC filing, Starrs will receive an annual base salary of $1.2 million. He will be eligible for annual cash incentives targeting 150% of his base salary and annual long-term incentive plan grants valued at $6.5 million starting in February 2026. Additional compensation includes a one-time cash award of $2 million, a restricted stock unit grant valued at $4.5 million, and a pro-rated 2025 equity grant of $1.625 million. The equity awards will vest in three equal annual installments, subject to continued employment. Notably, InvestingPro data shows the company has maintained dividend payments for 33 consecutive years, with a current yield of 3%, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns.

Starrs will also participate in Harley-Davidson’s executive severance plan and will receive a relocation package and other standard executive benefits. The agreements include non-competition and non-solicitation covenants and provisions for compensation recovery as required by law and company policy.

The leadership change follows the planned retirement of current President, CEO, and Chairman Jochen Zeitz, who will step down from his roles effective October 1. Zeitz will remain with the company as a Senior Advisor through February 2026, receiving a monthly stipend and providing transition and consulting services. The board has also appointed current director Troy Alstead to succeed Zeitz as Chairman, effective October 1. The transition comes as the company maintains a "FAIR" overall financial health score according to InvestingPro, which offers comprehensive analysis of over 1,400 US stocks through its Pro Research Reports, helping investors make informed decisions during such pivotal corporate moments.

The company stated that Zeitz’s decision to retire does not reflect any dispute or disagreement with Harley-Davidson.

All information is based on a press release statement filed with the SEC.

In other recent news, Harley-Davidson Inc. reported its second-quarter earnings for 2025, showcasing a notable revenue performance. The company achieved revenue of 1.31 billion dollars, surpassing the anticipated 1.1 billion dollars by 19.09%. Despite this strong revenue, earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.88, falling short of the forecasted $0.96, resulting in an 8.33% negative surprise. These developments indicate a mixed performance for the motorcycle manufacturer, with impressive revenue gains countered by lower-than-expected EPS. The market’s reaction to the earnings report was positive, although specific stock price movements are not discussed here. Analysts and investors may continue to monitor Harley-Davidson for further updates and insights into its financial trajectory.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.