Revenues are looking up for the iconic motorcycle manufacturer, but for Jones challenges loom on the labor front
Paul Jones has joined Harley-Davidson as the company’s vice president, general counsel and secretary. In this position he reports directly to Harley president and CEO Keith Wandell. Jones assumes the title from Gail Lione, who has served as the company’s top legal officer since 1997. Although Lione is stepping down from this position, she still holds her post as president of the Harley-Davidson Foundation.
Jones’ appointment comes hot on the heels of some good news for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based motorcycle manufacturer: second-quarter revenues are up over last year’s and, following a rough spell, the company’s financial services business seems to be coming back to life.
That said, Jones still has his work cut out for him: labor costs are up and the company has announced plans to take its operations – and manufacturing jobs – elsewhere unless an agreement is reached with the labor union.
Jones is no stranger to the inner workings of Harley’s legal department. Although he comes to the company from the motion-control product manufacturer Regal Beloit Corporation, before that he was a member of Harley’s outside counsel during his time as a partner in Foley & Lardner’s transactional securities practice.
Jones studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he graduated with honors. He then continued on to law school and received his JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.
