Zero Motorcycles strengthens management team with Karl Warton as COO
Zero Motorcycles Press Release - Feb 24, 2011

 Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry announced a new addition to its senior leadership team by naming Karl Wharton as Chief Operating Officer. Wharton comes to Zero after more than 20 years of business experience, including over a decade in the motorcycle industry, most of it at Triumph Motorcycles. With Triumph Wharton developed extensive experience in financial management, market development, operations, worldwide distribution and export sales growth. Wharton was part of the team at Triumph moving the business from a primarily domestic UK manufacturer to an internationally established brand with 80 percent of its sales bound for overseas markets. Following his tenure at Triumph, Wharton had a spell at CCM Motorcycles and has held successful executive operational roles with other privately funded companies prior to making the switch to Zero.

“Karl is a proven leader with a strong track record of success and we are proud to have him join the team,” said Gene Banman, CEO of Zero Motorcycles. “He understands virtually every aspect of our business, and with his leadership, we are even better equipped to achieve our long-term goals of building a ‘better motorcycle’ and a strong company. I have every confidence in Karl and look forward to his help in achieving our vision and developing the electric motorcycle market.”

Wharton’s new role of COO will focus on Zero’s overall operations and day-to-day execution. “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 Wharton. “My goal is to ensure that Zero Motorcycles continues to grow and to 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.” 

Banman added, “Karl’s addition builds on the extensive recruitment of executive staff over the past year at Zero Motorcycles which includes the addition of Abe Askenazi, from Buell in engineering; Scot Harden from KTM and Husqvarna in marketing; and Steve Salyer in manufacturing. We have consciously sought out senior executives with industry experience to add to our already strong senior management team and together we have the experience and passion to continue as the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry.”

About Zero Motorcycles: (Zero Motorcycles is the next step in motorcycle evolution and represents the ultimate electric motorcycle technology. Unencumbered by conventional thinking about how they design, manufacture, and sell high performance electric motorcycles, they are on a mission to turn heads and revolutionize their industry by combining the best aspects of a traditional motorcycle with today’s most advanced technology.

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