Erik Pritchard New Chief Executive Officer and President of Powersports Trade and Safety Associations

Erik Pritchard

Pritchard joined the associations as general counsel in March 2014 following more than a decade supporting the associations as outside counsel on a variety of litigation and non-litigation matters. He was named president of SVIA and ROHVA in 2017.

“The powersports industry is facing tremendous opportunities and also tough challenges as we move into the next decade. Erik has proven through his leadership the past five years, and long history with the associations, that he will be the dynamic leader we need to accomplish the many initiatives we will be undertaking to support our members,” said Paul Vitrano, MIC board chair, and senior assistant general counsel of Indian Motorcycle and Polaris, Inc., commenting on behalf of all the association boards. “Erik is known for being tenacious and has achieved a number of wins that have benefited our members and on- and off-road enthusiasts, and we look forward to more accomplishments in the future.”

“The next five to 10 years will be crucial for the long-term health and success of the powersports industry,” Pritchard said. “Our staff in California and Washington, D.C., are highly experienced and committed, and combined with the best industry minds in the world among our respective board members, we have a blue-ribbon team. I’m looking forward to strengthening our current operations and executing new initiatives to help our industry.”

One such initiative is the long-term, industry-wide effort led by the MIC to boost motorcycle ridership – more riders, riding more. The strategic framework for this plan was presented to a packed ballroom by Vitrano, Pritchard, and Chuck Boderman, MIC vice chair, and vice president, motorcycle division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., during the opening session at the AIMExpo presented by Nationwide in September.  Further information will be presented at the annual MIC Communications Symposium in Long Beach, Calif., on November 21.

The Motorcycle Industry Council

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at mic.org.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation
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 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BMW Motorrad USA; BRP, Inc.; Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Inc.; Indian Motorcycle; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; KTM North America, Inc.; Piaggio Group Americas, Inc.; Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.; Triumph Motorcycles America; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. For safety information or to enroll in an MSF Basic RiderCourse nearest you, visit msf-usa.org or call (800) 446-9227.

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America is the not-for-profit national industry association promoting the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) through rider training, public awareness campaigns, and state legislation. Additionally, SVIA works to preserve access to off-road riding areas and expand riding opportunities. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration, and performance requirements of ATVs. Based in Irvine, Calif., SVIA is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BRP, Inc.; CFMOTO Powersports, Inc.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; KYMCO USA, Inc.; Polaris Inc.; Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.; Textron Specialized Vehicles; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.. Visit SVIA online at svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit atvsafety.org, or call (800) 887-2887.

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is the not-for-profit national industry association promoting the safe and responsible use of ROVs (also called side-by-sides or UTVs). Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ROHVA develops standards for the equipment, configuration, and performance requirements of ROVs.

Based in Irvine, Calif., ROHVA is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BRP, Inc.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.; Mahindra Vehicle Sales and Services, Inc.; Polaris Inc.; Textron Specialized Vehicles; and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.. For more information visit rohva.org.