Harley-Davidson CEO dismounts

Harley-Davidson Inc. chief executive officer Jeffrey L. Bleustein, who is credited with helping to rebuild the iconic motorcycle company in the early 1980s, said Thursday he would retire as CEO in April.

Bleustein, 65, will continue as chairman of the board of directors, the company said in a statement.

James L. Ziemer, 54, who is vice president and chief financial officer of Harley-Davidson, will succeed him as CEO effective April 30, 2005.

In 1981, Bleustein and 12 others bought Harley-Davidson, which had been battered by Japanese competition, from their employer, American Machine and Foundry. Bleustein helped the company regain market share and by 1987 Harley-Davidson recaptured its position as the leading heavyweight motorcycle manufacturer in the United States.

Bleustein became senior vice president in 1988 and in 10 years he moved his way up to chairman of the board and chief executive officer.

Harley-Davidson is the parent company for Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.

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Harley-Davidson Inc. Chief Executive Jeffrey Bleustein will retire from his CEO post effective April 30 and be replaced by Chief Financial Officer James Ziemer, the motorcycle maker said Thursday.

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Bleustein, 65, will continue as board chairman. He was one of 13 executives that purchased Harley-Davidson from AMF in 1981 and helped it recapture its position as the leading U.S. heavyweight motorcycle manufacturer. Bleustein has been CEO since 1997.

Ziemer, 54, was elected to the Harley-Davidson Inc. board Thursday, increasing the size of the board to 10 members.