Zero Motorcycles Names Richard Walker Chief Executive Officer

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, today announced a new addition to its senior leadership team, naming Richard Walker as Chief Executive Officer. Walker comes to Zero with more than 30 years of business experience, including stints with Hewlett Packard (HP) and, more recently, Control4 as Executive Vice President of the Products Group. During his tenure with HP, Walker served as Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer Desktop Business Division and was responsible for the HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario and HP Touchsmart Product Lines. At Control4 and Hewlett Packard, Walker earned a reputation for his entrepreneurial spirit, ability to optimize operations and, most importantly, aligning resources to accelerate growth.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120724/NE45098 )

Walker's selection as CEO completes the formation of the executive management team at Zero Motorcycles, a process that began over 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, the investment group who has been backing Zero Motorcycles through its growth. "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."

As CEO, Walker brings to Zero a passion for innovation, exceptional customer experience and operating discipline to drive market success for Zero Motorcycles' dealer channel partners and distributors. "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." 

About Zero Motorcycles

Zero Motorcycles is committed to transforming the motorcycling experience by bringing to market highly innovative electric motorcycles that offer exceptional value and performance. Zero is powered by innovation, driven by passion, guided by integrity, and measured by results. Through extensive research, insight and experience, Zero combines the art and science of motorcycle development to create and manufacture products that excite consumers and inspire brand loyalty. Zero is determined to be the preeminent global electric motorcycle company.

Follow Zero Motorcycles on Twitter @ZeroMC, become a fan of Zero Motorcycles on Facebook and check out what Zero is doing on YouTube at www.youtube.com/zeromotorcycles.

FOR MEDIA: For more information, contact (951) 719-1040 or [email protected]. For press information, videos and photos go to http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/press.

For more information on Zero Motorcycles or to learn more about its complete motorcycle line including the Zero S, Zero DS, Zero XU, Zero MX and Zero X motorcycles, visit: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com.

SOURCE Zero Motorcycles