I saw this on the Cycle News website. I sure have enjoyed Greg and Bill's work over the years, sorry to see this happen. Tim has helped the POG with our tax status paperwork and I can tell you he is a fine person, I wish them all the best.
Paul
INDUSTRY NEWS - AMA Dismisses Three Veterans
By Henny Ray Abrams
Who Goes Where? 12/10/2007
AMA CEO Rob Dingman is putting his personal stamp on the organization. Dingman dismissed three long-serving individuals, two employees and the AMA's legal counsel, over the span of four days last week.
AMA legal counsel Tim Owen was the first to be dismissed. Owen was not an AMA employee, but he'd served the association for the past 17 years. Last Tuesday, December 4, Owen was called into Dingman's office and told it was his "last day on the job."
On Friday, two of the longest serving AMA employees were let go. Greg Harrison, senior vice president of membership and marketing, and Bill Wood, senior director of communications, were asked to leave the AMA headquarters at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7.
According to someone familiar with the dismissals, they "changed the locks, canned them and then ordered them escorted out of the building so they couldn't talk to anyone."
Harrison had been with the AMA for 28 years. Much of that time was spent editing "American Motorcyclist," the AMA's magazine. The magazine was currently being edited by Wood, a 25-year AMA veteran.
The dismissals follow the departure of AMA board chairman Dal Smilie. Smilie left the organization last month. He's told friends that it was done for family reasons, but others remain skeptical.
Attempts to reach both Wood and Harrison were unsuccessful. Harrison, through an intermediary, said he would have no comment at this time. Another magazine staff member also declined to comment through an intermediary.
But several people within the organization said it was permeated by a culture of fear, with many other long-serving employees worried about their job security. The widespread belief is that anyone associated with the former management is being put on notice that it will no longer be business as usual.
"The AMA's an institution, not an organization," one longtime observer said. "I think they're attempting to deinstitutionalize it by getting rid of anyone."
Attempts by Cycle News to reach AMA Vice President Director of Communications Kerry Graeber were unsuccessful.
Very sad. I knew Greg and Bill and had a lot of respect for each of them.
Ron Carbaugh
Remember it was just a couple years ago they let Roger Ansel go for standing up for the riders.
What is with the AMA these days ?
Dwight
I don't think it's just these recent years. Jody Wiesel at Motocross Action has never had kind words for the AMA, specially when it comes to taking care of the riders.
More from the Cycle News website.
Paul
INDUSTRY - AMA Asked to Reinstate Employees
By Larry Lawrence
Bring Them Back 12/11/2007
Appeal for Action by the AMA Board
There comes a time when a person has to disregard personal gain and do what is right.
I serve as media manager for the AMA Superbike Championship. I have a long association with the AMA dating back to the early 1990s when I first began doing media work at select AMA Superbike events. In 1995 I was hired as AMA Pro Racing's communications manager, a position I held for two years. To this day I work for the AMA as a contractor, not only for Pro Racing, but also for AMA Sports (the amateur racing division) and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
I also serve as a chairman on the Motorcycle Hall of Fame election committee and am a biographer for the Hall.
This past Friday, Dec. 7, the AMA dismissed Greg Harrison, senior vice president of membership and marketing, and Bill Wood, senior director of communications. This came as a great shock to me and a host of other people in the industry.
I have been unable to determine the reason for their dismissal.
Anyone who knows Greg Harrison and Bill Wood knows two men who are among the most loyal, competent and outstanding men who have worked for the AMA. I personally know them to be persons of great integrity. I've seen them at work for years. They've labored behind the scenes, without fanfare, to solve big problems. I used to rib them at Daytona every year because they had the staff of the American Motorcyclist stay at hotels 50 miles away from Daytona, just so they could save the AMA money.
Greg and Bill have done nothing but work faithfully for the organization for decades and neither would do anything to harm the AMA. They've received excellent reviews every year in annual evaluations and now suddenly they're no longer of use to the AMA?
Something does not add up.
Not only does their dismissal make no sense, but my understanding is the way in which they were let go was mean spirited and insulting.
The person behind the firings is new AMA president/CEO Rob Dingman.
I, along with many others inside the AMA, are not pleased at all with the atmosphere of fear Dingman has created among the loyal and hard-working AMA staff. My friends at the AMA, who've I've known and worked with for years, are afraid to talk to anyone about what's going on. The threat of being fired is apparently being held over everyone's head. There seems to be no dissenting opinion allowed from Dingmans' company line. Some even fear their email and voice mails are being monitored and the leadership has done nothing to fight that impression.
My dealings with Dingman have been few. We met for the first time at Laguna Seca during the MotoGP weekend. He sent me an email asking what I thought of the new vision for the AMA. I thought it a little strange that he would ask my opinion after the new vision had already been announced. Perhaps he could have asked me beforehand so he might have been able to take differing points of view into account.
Instead of truly wanting my opinion, I took it to be an effort to find if I was loyal or not to his vision.
You may be thinking this sounds like open revolt of AMA personnel against its own leadership. You would be correct in that assumption.
As a concerned AMA member, and a person who works for the AMA, I am calling for the AMA board to take immediate action and reinstate Greg Harrison and Bill Wood.
I speak for many inside the AMA by also asking the board to hold Mr. Dingman responsible for the destructive atmosphere of fear that permeates the headquarters in Pickerington.
This is the right thing to do.
A positive, open and productive atmosphere needs to be restored to the AMA so that the association can return to doing its job of being the voice for motorcyclists in America.
Sincerely
Larry Lawrence
AMA Superbike Media Manager
[email protected]
Just my opinion and my actions;
I think Larry Lawrence has expressed the view of many that can't speak for themselves. I personally feel that AMA has done a very bad job at filling the shoes of Ed Youngblood. FIrst guy was fired for telling fairy tales and now I guess Dingman's name actually has a meaning other than just being a name.
I feel like AMA has tried to go such high profile on picking a CEO that it has obviously forgot that it needs someone that can lead rather than just have the title of leader. Since Mr. Youngblood retired I have only been active in helping the Museum waiting to see what direction the actual AMA would settle into after a new leader was nominated. Well the first one was a misfire and now Dingman is like having someone walking around the halls of the AMA with a open agenda to fire who ever he feels isn't on his team or totally agrees with his vision (I guess he defines "a vision" as in firing anyone who defies you or doesn't agree with your direction).
Well we will see if this is America and if I can say what I want without losing my life membership to AMA. It use to fun to visit with people like Greg and offer input and find out what was in the future for AMA(Ed Youngblood actually introduced me to Greg many years ago). Now I guess we are big time and we just depend on CEO new releases. I too hope the board reels in Dingman and actually tries to get absolute input form Mr. Youngblood on finding a replacement or better yet let Mr.Youngblood run the AMA from his laptop.....it would be better than we have now.
Well I feel a lot better now and will try and see what happens next, since I have said what I have said, and as usual will stand behind what I have said.
Ron Carbaugh
Who actually hires the CEO? Is it a Board of some kind? I'm showing my ignorance here.
Lew Mayer
Sounds like typical Big Business to me. You can put in years of faithful service, be a Company Man all the way, break your back for them. It doesn't matter. Next thing you know, some new Jamoke comes in and decides to eliminate your job/doesn't like your looks/decides you are too old or are making too much money, whatever. Bottom line is, you're OUT, and for no good reason. Then, they just plug in some kid, fresh out of college, for half your salary. Aint life grand?
Sounds a lot like my last job at R.R. Donnelley Printing. New Ceo hired from a previous competitor that "supposedly" Donnelley bought out and in all reality "merged" into their big company, or more likely was swallowed by it, then fired or talked into retirement all of the higer ups or big salary experienced personnel, then wondered why the new guys didn't know squat about keeping things running smoothly, although profits came up. Happiness to them is a big picture profit and overworked employees that hate their jobs and quit so they don't have to give them a raise when they hire part time employees to take their jobs with no benefits! Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
I challenge anybody to find someone...anyone...who has an unkind word for Ed Youngblood that isn't a bald-faced lie. Likewise for Mr. Harrison and Mr. Wood. Successful businessmen with morals and integrity surround themselves with quality, honest, moral people. It appears to me that quality, morals and integrity are words that are quite unfamiliar to Mr. Dingman. Thank goodness I received my life membership years ago and don't have to pay any dues to Mr. Dingman's so-called "organization." He needs to GO!
Jeff DeBell
Lew, Here's how the AMA is organized:
The Board appoints the President/CEO
The AMA Board of Directors consists of 12 members. Six individual Directors are elected by the general membership in their respective regions and serve three-year terms. Six corporate Directors are elected by the corporate membership and serve two-year terms. The AMA Board of Directors meets four times a year
Board of Directors
http://www.amadirectlink.com/whatis/trustees.asp
Corporate Members
http://www.amadirectlink.com/whatis/corpmbrs.asp
Rob Dingman made a policy statement in September outlining his vision and that was -- Change! I don't think he would be so bold as to fire the "old hands" without the Boards knowledge/approval. If he acted solo, he may be on the way out.
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
I would suggest each of us in support of Greg and Bill take a few moments to write to each member of the Board of Directors and voice our displeasure. I am.
Jeff DeBell
My hat is off to Ed Youngblood and Larry Lawrence for putting it all on the line and standing up for what they believe in.
Paul
The following is off the Cycle News website.
INDUSTRY - Former AMA President Reacts to Employee Dismissals
.
Why? 12/12/2007
The following letter is from former AMA President Ed Youngblood:
December 11, 2007
Mr. Don Rosene
Chairman, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Committee
400 West Potter Drive
Anchorage, AK 99518
Dear Don,
On December 7, 2007, two of the hardest-working, best, and most loyal employees the American Motorcyclist Association has ever had were fired and escorted out of the building like criminals. One had served 25 years and the other 28. Never mind that the employees in question have been key to driving membership, magazine circulation, and magazine revenue to all-time highs. Never mind that they were utterly loyal to the Association and served it well, even during the period of confusion and instability it has experienced in recent years. Beyond this cruel incident, it is my belief that the current leadership of the Association has established a reign of terror over the professional staff as a whole.
In my opinion, the current regime is monstrous, and I am simply dumbfounded that the AMA Board of Directors seems tolerant of this style of management, if not complicit. It has caused me great pain to watch the deterioration of the AMA, but I expect my unhappiness is nothing compared to that of the employees, volunteers, and supporters who have been directly affected by it. There is very little I can do about this situation except cease to be a party to it in any direct or indirect way.
For this reason, it is with deep sadness that I resign my position as Chairman of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Ambassadors and Promoters Committee, and my membership on the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Pioneers Committee. Furthermore, with the firm belief that the current AMA leadership will apply any resources provided it toward the destruction of the Association, and eventually the destruction of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, I will make no further financial or in-kind contributions until a more caring, conscientious, and responsible leadership is established at the levels of both the administration and the Board of Directors of the AMA.
Sincerely,
Ed Youngblood
Past President, AMA
Member, Motorcycle Hall of Fame
CC: AMA Board of Directors,
AMHF Board of Directors,
AMA President
Thanks Paul for the update....just like I have stated above...the day of mutual respect at AMA for its employees and members are past. The days of Ed Youngblood not tolersting this type of behavior on his watch show by his most difficult actions taken above. Ed is the person who got the ball rollong on the Museum....I was there the day before it opened and saw the pride. But we can rebuild. Ed guided us through worse that this.
Now that this has happened I hope that the Board is held just as much responsible as the CEO and that heads should roll by recalling the board or getting some immediate answers. I have long felt that the board must be a mutual admiration society. Sorry if I offend people that I have either met or know on the board....but at this point there is no respect from this corner for any of them. Another point is if someone on the board would have stood up and revealed that this type of fear was going on this entire mess would have happened. Very strange that there isn't some type of Human Resources reporting method to curb this fear activity?? And if the board claims they were not aware of the the firing before hand I think we should file this under "board not being involved" and "loose cannon CEO". Well that is for this hour....stay tuned.
Ron Carbaugh
Brother Ron,
Tell us how you really feel.:D I knew I would get to say that about you someday.[8D]
Larry P
Somehow I think Dingman was not expecting the reaction he is getting.
Brian
'72 Six Day (on loan from Ernie P.)
Larry,
There is a silver lining to everything that happens. I guess people have figured out that I consider Greg and Bill good people. I am happy you pointed this out to me. I am proud of one fact...how many people that read the POG site and never say a word. I have it on record how I feel and stand by it.
Also, everyone that reads this has to understand how difficult it is the steps that Ed (Youngblood) and Larry (Lawrence) have taken and in Larry's case his job is on the line. Ed is the force behind so many wonder things that is now history at the AMA, but I am here to tell the path to Ed's great career isn't one that many could have handled and handled it a gentleman and with dignity towards his fellow employees.
As we say in chess I think it is the board and dingmans next move move. And Larry, as always, through thick and thin you and I will be best of Friends.
Ron Carbaugh
New definition of irony:
Bill Wood's column in the January issue of American Motorcylist which says "25 Years and Counting. The AMA is the kind of place people stick with for the long haul."
Guess when Bill wrote that he had no idea Dingman was going to "stick" it to him!
Jeff DeBell
Paul, Thanks for the update.
Mr Youngblood, my hats off to you for your integrity.
Brian, I'm not sure if Dingman cares about the reaction he's getting,
although he should.
Jeff,I agree with you in the aspect that I, too, am glad to be a Charter Life Member and don't have to give Dingman any more money. Unfortunately, for racers, it's the only game in town and if you want to race, you must be a member. You can, as Jeff said, make our displeasure known to the Board and the Corporate Reps.
Lew Mayer
Brother Ron,
I am totally with you on this one. I just love when you get passionate. You generally are the quieter one with me being the hotter head. It is just rare I get to point out your passion. As everyone here knows Ron is pretty levelheaded.
I can remember a time if I recall in our youth when you let the whole 100 class know that everyone that beat you the next weekend was going to get torn down. You were pretty hot that day.;) Funny I think you won next weekend. I don't think anyone held back, the motors just got smaller. Sometimes heat accomplishes things. Hopefully this time it will too.
Love Ya Brother!
Larry P
Larry,
Thanks for the memories...that was the 100 class and yes I did win the following weekend. I could have probably ran a 50cc and still won....I was hot.
Your comment is a compliment, and I have lived to see a lot of changes with the AMA and I hope that this situation will bring it (AMA) back to the days where there was great leadership and sense moving forward to promote motorcycles. I am very diappointed in this firing and only know one way to fire back. Greg and Bill are levelheaded hard working people who anyone would love to have as employees, well almost anyone, and I feel this is the straw that I hope broke the camel's back. I feel that if the board doesn't answer this in the form of a letter by this weekend we are seeing the lack of concern and caring. Board members need to understand that THEY are the ones that should be held responsible for the actions of the executive level of the organization. If they aren't held accountable then we should just label them Big Shots that just have meetings and eat, drink and be merry on the expense accounts that are paid for by ,in this case, the membership of AMA. Enough said for now, but I want to see the letter that the board needs to write to explain these actions.
I Pray the Greg, Bill and their Families have a Good Christmas and they they know that the are well respected by a lot of people.
Ron Carbaugh
Robert Dingman speaks:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2007/Visioncol.asp
Dane
Old news. Appears AMA just re-released his September 2007 "Vision".
http://www.motorcycle.com/news/new-vision-for-ama-66582.html
the above was posted Sept 14, 2007
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
Having worked for a non-profit that went through 5 CEO's within 5 years, I couldn't help to notice...like the 5 I've seen come and go... The new AMA CEO seems to be funding his agenda and where he came from. More money in lobbying padding the pockets of his friends and justifying the importance of his former position in the work force. I'd bet anyone hired in these positions will be well paid and a personal friend of our new CEO. Usually the best way to do this is to get rid of anyone with enough clout to stand in his or her way. Instill fear to anyone else that questions his or her motivation. We had a marketing person come in as CEO at one point...All the departments had their budgets cut so that we could better fund the marketing efforts. Well, Another failed attempt and another CEO down the road to further his own career, leaving many passionate and dedicated employees, unemployeed and in his wake.
Just my 2 cents.
I raced 6 times this season, and none of the proceeds went to the AMA. Yes there are outlaw races, rides and events going on, every weekend all season long. and you know what? they are not supported or involved with the AMA. There All sponsered by hard working individuals involved with many different dirt bike clubs, (yes, all volunteers !!)
and know something else, there was no CEO, no board of directors, and maybe good or bad, minimal amount of rules, regulatiuons and officiating. I have/had and will have again, a great time competing !!
I dont think the AMA realizes how many of us old riders and racers are out here having a fantastic time, without their involvement
Just a small riders 2cents.
Raymond
Down East Pentons
Hi Ron,
I agree with your sentiments. I would add that in some organizations the HR department is the ORIGIN of much of the organization's fear. HR can ruthlesslessly abuse power through innuendo, veiled threats, and in some cases blatant manufactured 'frames' to get people fired (I've seen such instances through the eyes of several friends over the years).
To speak to your point, even in orgs rotten on the inside like these, the execs and boards are ultimately responsible for letting the inmates run the asylum. Execs with their eye on the ball would never tolerate a negative environment in their shops, so if one exists, it's the execs who should answer the big bell that tolls.
Larry Seale
I choose to ride
For those of you following this situation you can go visit Ed Youngblood's site and see how this gentleman has put it on the line by printing the problem and the solution. Please take the time to read it and if you care to write the board members with your feeling please do. More later.
//www.motohistory.net
Editorial:
The day of infamy
and the future of the
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
Ron Carbaugh
Been there and read that. I posted links on two if the largest moto forums on the Internet as well.
Dane
I have never had much respect for the AMA and their latest tactics are no suprise. Out in California, District 37 got so fed up with the lack of support on land issues that there was serious talk about dropping out of AMA and forming a new organization.
I have not had much respect for the AMA but for a far different reason. I do not agree with their positon of fighting to repeal helmet laws. Some people NEED protecting because they are either too stupid or are not informed enough to wear a helmet. Yes I have heard all the garbage spread by motorcycle owners and the AMA about individual freedom to choose. All I know is helmets save lives and for an organization devoted to motorcycling to fight helmet laws, thereby contributing to loss of human life, is WRONG. Our shop had 2 customers die this year from head injuries. I know this is off topic but just wanted to get it off my chest. Ted
Ted,although I wear my helmet,The adage that some are too stupid and need protection doesn't fly with me.Ive seen my insurance increase with the wave of new old guy riders that want to pretend to be something that they never were.The problem is lack of training.These "bikers" rode as kids and think they can jump on a bike and be as sharp as they used to be.As more people disregard motorcyclist as they talk on their cellphones you better be on your toes.It used to be if you ran over a guy on a bike you better look out for his friends to give you a little lesson in respect.Now the average driver is not afraid of that guy that bought a brand new bike and only acts tough.Getting back to the AMA I might not agree with everything they fight for but as a group there's power and the powers to be over there should do what the members want.United we ride divided we drive.
Ted,
I always wear a helmet but I hate to see our freedoms chipped away by those who think they know better than everyone else and want to impose their values on everyone else.
I'd like to have my own freedom of choice and let those who do not choose to wear a helmet, be weeded out by natural selection.
Lew Mayer
Lew: In theory I agree, but who pays for the medical costs? The rest of us.
Frosty: I totally agree that training is a big part of it. However< I think your mistaken if you think its OLD guys. We sell Honda and Harley-Davidson. Young guys 16-20 buyint 180HP sport bikes are a BIG part of the insurance problem. Japanese manufacturers making these sport bike are part of the problem. I remember when bikes were lucky to run 100mph now we can double that. Do you think that's needed? But I don't care how much training you have or how long you have rode or the type of bike you ride, someday we are going to crash and the helmet could save us. Seat belts are mandatory in most places but I don't see the AAA fighting to repeal those laws. My point is the AMA spends a huge portion of OUR money to fight something that SAVES lives. I would love to see a membership vote, with head injury statistics in front of them, on this subject. Is the AMA supporting the members wishes?
Simply put I can not support an organization that does not support saving motorcyclist lifes. Ted (0 wrecks on street) (lost count in first year offroad)
Ted,In my state (Indiana) minors under 18 have to wear a helmet.If a dealer is selling a motorcycle that will do 200 mph to a minor and not requiring a helmet or training course that should be criminal.The reason I joined the AMA was because of the helmet threat.Just as I'd be opposed to a law that states that I can't wear a helmet I'd have a problem with a law that mandates one.The deal with the AAA not doing anything about the seatbelt laws is people that drive cars aren't as organized as a group as motorcyclist are.In closing I'd like to remind everyone that training is the answer.I'd rather learn how to avoid the accident.I guess I couldn't sell bikes because the first kid that dies because of me selling the young person too big of a bike for them to handle would tear me up inside.Making money selling bikes involves responsibility.I too would like to see a poll concerning the AMA's stand on helmets.I write this not to have a verbal battle with anyone but to show that the AMA means different things to different riders.It still seems bad to let people go around the holidays.Merry Christmas.