Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) refreshes board with two new directors

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Harley-Davidson, Inc. reported upcoming changes to its Board of Directors. Sara Levinson and N. Thomas Linebarger will retire from the board effective September 15, 2025, and the company stated their decisions were not due to any disagreement over operations, policies, or practices.

To replace them, the board appointed Daniel J. Nova, a longtime venture capital partner at Highland Capital Partners with broad board experience, and Matthew J. Reintjes, President and CEO of YETI Holdings, Inc. since 2015. Both are considered independent under New York Stock Exchange rules and will serve until the 2026 annual meeting, with defined committee roles across human resources, sustainability and safety, governance, and audit and finance.

As non-employee directors, Nova and Reintjes will receive a pro-rated portion of the $110,000 annual cash retainer, with at least half paid in Harley-Davidson stock or share units, plus an annual share unit grant valued at $145,000 after they attend their first board meeting. Reintjes will also receive a pro-rated additional $5,000 for serving on the Audit and Finance Committee.

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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): September 9, 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.

Director Resignations

On September 9, 2025 and September 10, 2025, respectively, Sara Levinson and N. Thomas Linebarger announced their retirement from the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“the Company”), effective September 15, 2025. Neither Ms. Levinson’s decision nor Mr. Linebarger’s decision was the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices.

Troy Alstead, Presiding Director, commended Mr. Linebarger and Ms. Levinson on their contributions to the Company stating: “We are deeply grateful to Tom and Sara for their years of dedicated service to Harley-Davidson and our shareholders. Throughout their tenure, they have guided the Company through significant challenges with steady leadership and unwavering commitment. We thank them sincerely for their contributions and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”

Director Appointments

On September 12, 2025, the Board appointed Daniel J. Nova and Matthew J. Reintjes as new Directors, effective September 15, 2025. Messrs. Nova and Reintjes will serve as Directors with a term expiring at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board determined that each is independent according to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board also appointed Mr. Nova to the Board’s Human Resources Committee, Sustainability and Safety Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and appointed Mr. Reintjes to the Board’s Audit and Finance Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, effective September 15, 2025.

Daniel J. Nova

Since 1999, Mr. Nova has served as a General Partner of Highland Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, advising companies through periods of strategic growth and transition. From 2020 to 2022, Mr. Nova also served as the Chief Investment Officer of Highland Transcend Partners I Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Prior to joining Highland Capital, Mr. Nova was a Partner at CMGI @Ventures and Summit Partners. Mr. Nova has extensive board experience at public and private companies and currently serves as the Lead Independent Trustee of Eversource Energy.

Matthew J. Reintjes

Mr. Reintjes has served as President and CEO of YETI Holdings, Inc. since 2015, where he has overseen the company’s transformation into a leading global outdoor brand with a growing international customer base. Mr. Reintjes has been a member of YETI Holdings’ Board of Directors since 2016 and previously held executive roles at Vista Outdoor and Danaher Corporation, building a strong reputation in product innovation and operational excellence.

The Company’s Director Compensation Policy is applicable to Messrs. Nova and Reintjes as non-employee Directors. In connection with their election to the Board, Messrs. Nova and Reintjes each will receive a pro-rata portion of the current $110,000 annual retainer that the Company pays to non-employee Directors, as outlined in the Company’s Director Compensation Policy. Also, Mr. Reintjes will receive a pro-rata portion of the additional $5,000 retainer payable to members of the Audit and Finance Committee. At least 50% of the retainer will be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock and/or share units as required under the Company’s Director Compensation Policy.

In addition, Messrs. Nova and Reintjes each will also be awarded an annual grant of share units equal to $145,000 pursuant to the Company’s Director Stock Plan, which is the amount of share units last granted to each of the outside Directors under the plan, each share unit representing the value of one share of the Company’s common stock. Messrs. Nova and Reintjes will receive this compensation following their first Board meeting they attend as Directors.

A copy of the press release issued by the Company announcing the resignations of Ms. Levinson and Mr. Linebarger and the appointments of Messrs. Nova and Reintjes is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

2

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description

99.1			Harley-Davidson, Inc. Press Release dated September 15, 2025
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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: September 15, 2025

/s/ Paul J. Krause

Paul J. Krause

Secretary

3

FAQ

What board changes did Harley-Davidson (HOG) announce?

Harley-Davidson announced that directors Sara Levinson and N. Thomas Linebarger will retire from the Board effective September 15, 2025, and that Daniel J. Nova and Matthew J. Reintjes have been appointed as new directors starting on the same date.

Did the Harley-Davidson directors resign due to any disagreement with the company?

The company stated that neither Sara Levinson nor N. Thomas Linebarger resigned as a result of any disagreement with Harley-Davidson on matters related to its operations, policies, or practices.

Who are the new Harley-Davidson (HOG) board members and what is their background?

Daniel J. Nova has been a General Partner at Highland Capital Partners since 1999 and previously served as Chief Investment Officer of Highland Transcend Partners I Corp., with extensive public and private board experience. Matthew J. Reintjes has been President and CEO of YETI Holdings, Inc. since 2015 and a director there since 2016, with prior executive roles at Vista Outdoor and Danaher Corporation.

How long will the new Harley-Davidson directors serve?

Daniel J. Nova and Matthew J. Reintjes were appointed on September 12, 2025, effective September 15, 2025, and will serve as directors with terms expiring at Harley-Davidson’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

What committees will the new Harley-Davidson directors join?

The Board appointed Daniel J. Nova to the Human Resources Committee, Sustainability and Safety Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Matthew J. Reintjes was appointed to the Audit and Finance Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, all effective September 15, 2025.

How will Harley-Davidson (HOG) compensate the new directors?

As non-employee directors, Daniel J. Nova and Matthew J. Reintjes will each receive a pro-rata share of the $110,000 annual director retainer, with at least 50% paid in Harley-Davidson common stock or share units, plus an annual grant of share units valued at $145,000 after they attend their first board meeting. Matthew J. Reintjes will also receive a pro-rata share of an additional $5,000 retainer for serving on the Audit and Finance Committee.

Are the new Harley-Davidson directors considered independent?

The Board determined that both Daniel J. Nova and Matthew J. Reintjes are independent in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.