AMA hires Jack Penton as Director of Operations

[Paul Danik]

AMA hires Jack Penton as Director of Operations


The AMA is pleased to welcome Jack Penton to the position of AMA Director of Operations. Penton, an AMA Life Member who was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 in honor of his off-road racing success, will start on June 1.

As director of operations, Penton will report directly to AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, and will assist him in managing the day-to-day functions of the Association. Penton will also have direct responsibility for the Hall of Fame.

"Jack Penton's breadth of experience in the motorcycle industry gives him a fresh perspective that I'm excited to bring to the AMA," Dingman said. "His hands-on approach will help guide our staff as we continually seek better ways to serve our members and more effectively promote and protect the motorcycling lifestyle."

Penton has more than 40 years of experience in the motorcycle industry. Early in his career he worked for Penton Imports developing Penton motorcycles, a brand founded by his father, AMA Hall of Famer John Penton. Later, he worked for Kawasaki Motors, Malcolm Smith Racing and KTM America. Most recently, Penton served with Tucker Rocky Distributing, a world leader in the distribution of motorcycle merchandise.

An AMA member for 45 years, Penton is also chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) Board of Directors, the fundraising body for the Hall of Fame, a position he will relinquish prior to June 1. Having served on the AMHF board for three years, Penton has watched the AMA make major improvements at a crucial time.

"I am eager to join the AMA staff, and I look forward to helping the Association become a more powerful voice for America's motorcyclists," Penton said. "The threats to motorcycling are greater today than ever before. Now is the time to secure the rights of motorcyclists in America, but to do so the AMA membership needs to grow many times over.

"The AMA has its priorities in order and has made the commitments needed to expand the organization," Penton said. "Now is the time for motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere to join us so that we can respond with strength to the forces that want to take away our rights as motorcyclists."

Effective June 1, those wishing to contact Penton can send him an e-mail at [email protected], or call (614) 856-1900.

[chicagojerry]

congratulations jack! i'm glad to see you there. your voice of reason and common sense will certainly be an asset to the organization. chicago jerry

[Ernie Phillips]

Congratulations Jack.  Looking forward to your involvement in building a better, stronger and more effective  AMA.  -EP

Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN

[MikeMurphy]

Congratulations Jack. The AMA needs strong people like you right now with the Land & Insurance issues we riders are facing now. We are all behind you with our support. Good luck in your new position.

Mike Murphy

Michael Murphy
1976 250 MC-5
And how many ROKONS can I sell you ?

[David Laite]

Well done Jack, way to go!

1973 Penton Six Day
1973 Penton Jackpiner
1982 Yamaha XT200
1982 Yamaha XJ650J Maxim
1984 Husqvarna 400WR
1987 Yamaha YZ490
2005 Honda CRF450R

[tomale]

That is good news I look forward to seeing what he will do...but if the AMA is going to grow in its memebership it is going to have to see it's membership as people who love and ride motorcycles and not as a money source...

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)

[Jeff D]

Wow!  The AMA actually  making an intelligent move?  I hope Jack can restore some sanity to the place.  Congratulations!!!!!

Jeff DeBell

[Jerry Chafton]

Congrats Jack, you are THE MAN....
Jerry

[Charles Gresham]

Congrats Jack !

1974 Penton 250 Hare Scrambler
1973 Honda CL 100
1978 Suzuki RM 125
1983 Honda XL 185
1993 Yamaha RT 180