STOCK TITAN

Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) appoints new top legal officer

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is making a planned leadership change in its top legal role. Effective June 29, 2026, Paul Krause will step down as Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary and move into an advisory role.

He will serve in this advisory capacity until September 1, 2026, after which he will leave the company and receive benefits under Harley-Davidson’s Severance Plan. Also effective June 29, 2026, Gayle Littleton will join as the new Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary, ensuring continuity in the company’s legal and compliance leadership.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
New officer effective date June 29, 2026 Date Gayle Littleton becomes Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary
Advisory period end date September 1, 2026 Date Paul Krause exits the company after serving in an advisory role
Corporate Secretary financial
"Paul Krause will cease serving as Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary"
A corporate secretary is a person in a company who helps organize meetings, keeps important records, and makes sure the company follows legal rules. They act like a bridge between the company's leaders and its shareholders, making sure everything runs smoothly and by the book. Their role is important because it helps the company stay organized and legally compliant.
Severance Plan financial
"he will exit the Company and be entitled to benefits under the Company’s Severance Plan"
A severance plan is a company policy that spells out the pay, benefits and other support employees receive if their jobs are ended, voluntarily or involuntarily. For investors it matters because these plans create predictable cash costs and legal obligations—like a planned payout schedule or a shoe-box emergency reserve—and can signal how well management handles workforce changes, governance risk and future cash flow needs.
Emerging growth company regulatory
"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
Learn about SEC filing dates
0000793952false00007939522026-05-212026-05-21

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 8-K 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 26, 2026
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin1-918339-1382325
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
     (Commission
     File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3700 West Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(414342-4680
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class  Trading Symbol  Name of exchange on which registered
COMMON STOCK, $0.01 par value per share  HOG  New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐



Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Effective June 29, 2026, Paul Krause will cease serving as Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary of Harley-Davidson. To support an orderly transition of duties, Mr. Krause will assume an advisory role until September 1, 2026, at which point he will exit the Company and be entitled to benefits under the Company’s Severance Plan.
Effective June 29, 2026, Gayle Littleton will join Harley-Davidson as the Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary.

The Company extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Krause for his leadership and the many meaningful contributions he made during his tenure and extends its best wishes as he pursues his next professional venture.




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.
Date: June 26, 2026/s/ Mai Der M. Shaw
Mai Der M. Shaw
Assistant Secretary

FAQ

What leadership change did Harley-Davidson (HOG) announce in this 8-K?

Harley-Davidson announced a leadership transition in its top legal role. Paul Krause will cease serving as Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary, and will be succeeded by Gayle Littleton effective June 29, 2026.

When will Paul Krause leave Harley-Davidson (HOG)?

Paul Krause will exit Harley-Davidson on September 1, 2026. From June 29, 2026 until that date, he will serve in an advisory role to support an orderly transition and will be entitled to benefits under the company’s Severance Plan.

What role will Paul Krause have at Harley-Davidson during the transition period?

During the transition, Paul Krause will serve in an advisory role from June 29, 2026 until September 1, 2026. This structure is intended to support an orderly handover of his responsibilities before he exits the company and receives Severance Plan benefits.

Does Paul Krause receive any benefits when leaving Harley-Davidson (HOG)?

Yes. When Paul Krause exits Harley-Davidson on September 1, 2026, he will be entitled to benefits under the company’s Severance Plan. This entitlement is explicitly referenced in connection with his planned departure following the transition and advisory period.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents