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Business executives from Milwaukee and elsewhere will be among the riders rolling through the city’s streets this weekend as Harley-Davidson Inc. celebrates its 105th anniversary.
Biker execs from the Brew City include Ed Zore, president and CEO of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.; Jeff Joerres, chairman, president and CEO of Manpower Inc.; and Dennis Kuester, chairman of Marshall & Ilsley Corp.
Some belong to motorcycle clubs, such as the one organized at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1999. The invitation-only club now has about 100 members.
Frank Habib, MSOE vice president of development, said the club was formed to connect top executives to the engineering college and provide motorcyclists with a social outlet to talk business and pleasure.
“This is a very mature, seasoned group of corporate executives,” Habib said.
Other white-collar bikers, such as James McKenna, president and CEO of North Shore Bank, prefer to ride alone or with occasional companions.
“Riding in groups and meeting timetables is not relieving stress in my estimation,” McKenna said. “It’s one more thing to put on my calendar.”
But he rode from Washington, D.C., to Milwaukee this week with a group of Harley riders that included Harley-Davidson Inc. executives. He also has ridden across much of the United States and once had his bike flown to New Zealand so he could ride there.
“I don’t play golf, and this is something that my wife and I can do together,” McKenna said.
In leather and biker sunglasses, the CEOs can blend into the crowd.
“People don’t know who you are, and they couldn’t care less,” McKenna added.
A few white-collar workers use their motorcycles to commute, such as John Lavelle, an attorney and motorcyclist from Albany, N.Y. He has six motorcycles he rides to work and occasionally takes on long-distance business trips.
“My bikes aren’t the prettiest things to look at, and they don’t get washed that often, but they’re all serviceable and ready to go,” Lavelle said.
But most business executives said their bikes are after-hours only — largely because wearing or carrying dress clothes isn’t practical.
“My work obviously doesn’t allow me to wear jeans and boots,” said Kim Schaffer, first vice president and market manager at Park Bank.
She began riding about 10 years ago, after watching the biker parade during Harley’s 95th anniversary. Schaffer has a 100th-anniversary Softail Classic she takes on rides through the countryside.
“Riding is good for the soul,” she said.
Consultant Jack Lee bought his shiny red 2008 Harley touring bike because he wanted a better understanding of his client’s products. The partner at Deloitte Services in Milwaukee also sought motorcyclists in his company’s other offices and is helping host a special event for them at Miller Brewing Co. during the Harley celebration.
“It’s the first time we have gotten together” as riders, Lee said.
He hopes Harley might use the Deloitte motorcyclists for test marketing purposes — after all, the white-collar employees fit well with Harley’s customer base and have the money to support their passion.
