Well, folks, it seems the Harley boardroom has become the latest battleground in the corporate world. Jared Dourdeville, a director representing H Partners, Harley’s second-largest shareholder, has resigned, citing “grave concerns” about the company’s direction.
In his resignation letter, Dourdeville criticized CEO Jochen Zeitz and other senior leaders for fostering a “cultural depletion” through widespread remote work policies and the departure of many experienced executives.
Dourdeville Resigned From Harley
Dourdeville also echoed dealer frustrations over unsellable motorcycle inventory and the neglect of the entry-level bike market, while faulting Harley’s inadequate response to a 2024 conservative backlash against its diversity policies.
Dourdeville had previously called for the resignation of Zeitz and two other directors, but his demands went unheeded. In response, Harley-Davidson stated that Dourdeville had not voiced objections in board meetings except once, when the board rejected his preferred CEO candidate.
This internal turmoil has had a significant impact on Harley-Davidson’s stock, which dropped approximately 11% following the news of Dourdeville’s resignation.
As Harley-Davidson grapples with these challenges, the company’s future remains uncertain. The board is now urgently seeking new leadership to steer the iconic brand through these turbulent times.
In the meantime, motorcycle enthusiasts and investors alike will be watching closely to see how Harley-Davidson navigates this crisis and whether it can regain its footing in the competitive motorcycle market.
