Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) consolidates finance and commercial roles after exec exits

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced leadership changes effective December 31, 2025. Jagdish Krishnan will step down as Chief Digital and Operations Officer, and Luke Mansfield will step down as Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Both departures occur under circumstances that entitle them to benefits under the company’s Executive Severance Plan. The company thanked them for their contributions and wished them well in future roles.

Jonathan Root, who has been serving as Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and President, Commercial of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, will remain Chief Financial Officer and continue to lead the finance organization, including oversight of Harley-Davidson Financial Services. He will retain oversight of global commercial operations and take on the title of Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, consolidating finance and commercial leadership under a single executive.

Insights

Equity & Governance Analyst

Harley-Davidson consolidates finance and commercial leadership as two executives depart.

Harley-Davidson is signaling an organizational realignment, with two senior executives stepping down from the Chief Digital and Operations Officer and Chief Commercial Officer roles, effective December 31, 2025. Both are leaving under conditions that qualify them for benefits under the Executive Severance Plan, suggesting these are managed, structured transitions rather than abrupt departures.

At the same time, the company is concentrating responsibility in Jonathan Root, who remains Chief Financial Officer while also assuming the title of Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Root continues to oversee the finance organization and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, while retaining oversight of global commercial operations. This creates tighter alignment between financial oversight and commercial execution, but also increases dependency on a single leader.

Investors may pay particular attention to how this dual-role structure influences decision-making and execution across finance and commercial functions after December 31, 2025, especially as future disclosures provide more detail on strategic priorities following the transition.

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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): December 5, 2025

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin

1-9183

39-1382325

(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)

(414) 342-4680

(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 5.02 Departure of Directors of Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective December 31, 2025, Jagdish Krishnan and Luke Mansfield will step down from their positions as Chief Digital and Operations Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, respectively, under circumstances that will entitle them to benefits under the Executive Severance Plan. The Company expresses its appreciation for the many contributions they made during their tenures and extends its best wishes as they pursue their next professional ventures.

Jonathan Root, who has served as Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and President, Commercial of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, will remain Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc., continuing to lead the finance organization, including oversight of Harley-Davidson Financial Services. In addition, he will retain his oversight of global commercial operations but will assume the title of Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

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: December 5, 2025

/s/ Paul J. Krause

Paul J. Krause

Secretary

2

FAQ

What executive changes did Harley-Davidson (HOG) announce in this 8-K?

Harley-Davidson announced that, effective December 31, 2025, Jagdish Krishnan will step down as Chief Digital and Operations Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc., and Luke Mansfield will step down as Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Will the departing Harley-Davidson executives receive severance benefits?

Yes. The company states that both Jagdish Krishnan and Luke Mansfield are stepping down under circumstances that entitle them to benefits under Harley-Davidson’s Executive Severance Plan.

What role will Jonathan Root have at Harley-Davidson after December 31, 2025?

After December 31, 2025, Jonathan Root will remain the Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc., continue to lead the finance organization including oversight of Harley-Davidson Financial Services, retain oversight of global commercial operations, and assume the title of Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Does Harley-Davidson’s CFO role change as part of this announcement?

The CFO role does not change in scope; Jonathan Root remains Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc., continuing to lead the finance organization and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, while also taking on the title of Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

When do the Harley-Davidson executive departures and title changes become effective?

The executive departures and Jonathan Root’s updated title as Chief Commercial Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company are effective on December 31, 2025.

How did Harley-Davidson characterize the contributions of the departing executives?

Harley-Davidson expressed its appreciation for the many contributions of Jagdish Krishnan and Luke Mansfield during their tenures and extended best wishes as they pursue their next professional ventures.