IRVINE, Calif., March 11, 2010 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) announces the promotion of Rob Gladden to General Manager MSF, reporting to MSF President Tim Buche. He previously was MSF Director, Program Administration.

Gladden is responsible for managing the staff as the MSF Team works to carry out MSF’s mission to best serve the nation’s 25 million riders. Gladden is responsible for MSF’s day-to-day operations, project timelines, budget planning and tracking, and effective resource application. Gladden will also be involved with Buche and the MSF Board of Trustees on strategic planning and the development and implementation of safety and training initiatives.

“Rob has shown a remarkable ability to deliver results that best serve current and prospective riders in an efficient and effective manner. By fostering relationships with key stakeholders, nurturing programs, motivating staff, and exhibiting the highest degree of personal commitment, Rob has done an exceptional job on behalf of the MSF, serving the safety and training needs of motorcyclists nationwide.”

Gladden is an avid motorcyclist who has worked in the motorcycle industry for more than 20 years.  He joined the MSF in 2001 and has been instrumental in leading MSF programs that promote the safety of motorcyclists at regional, state and national levels.

As Program Administrator, Rob was responsible for overseeing the administration of state motorcycle safety programs managed under contract with the MSF for California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, New York, and West Virginia, maximizing program operations while driving down program costs to conserve motorcyclists’ funding. All MSF-managed state programs experienced significant increases in the number of students trained; in particular, the California Motorcyclist Safety Program nearly doubled its training volume in the past five years.

He also helped launch three new MSF Campus locations that offer expanded facilities for training, rider education, curriculum research, and MSF courses, special training events and ASI training in Irving, Texas, Troy, Ohio and Alpharetta, Georgia; and the development and deployment of a new California Motorcyclist Safety Program website, www.ca-msp.org, working under the direction of the California Highway Patrol.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes safety through rider training and education, operator licensing tests and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by the MSF have been recognized worldwide since 1973.

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For safety information or to enroll in the RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.msf-usa.org or call (800) 446-9227.

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