From a press release issued by Kawasaki:

KAWASAKI’S EXECUTIVE V.P., SALES, PAUL TROTTA, TO RETIRE AFTER 34-YEAR CAREER WITH THE COMPANY

Tony Murr, a 28-year Kawasaki veteran, to assume top sales position

IRVINE, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2002) —Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) has announced the planned retirement of Paul Trotta, executive vice president, sales. According to Steve Hamada, president, Trotta’s departure will coincide with the close of this calendar year. Hamada simultaneously announced that Tony Murr, assistant vice president, sales will be promoted, effective January 1, to the post of vice president, sales.

Trotta’s long sales and operations career with the recreational and utility products marketer began in 1969 in the company’s New Jersey offices. He has had national responsibility for brand sales since 1991, when he was promoted from a regional position to director of sales. That was followed by a 1997 promotion to vice president, sales, and in 2000 Trotta was elected to the Board of Directors commensurate with his being named executive vice president.

“The company and all of those associated with KMC owe Paul a debt of gratitude for the commitment he has shown to the brand’s growth over the past three decades,” said Hamada. “His leadership has added immeasurably to the success that we’ve enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy in future years,” Hamada concluded.

Trotta, a charter life member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), is looking forward to pursuing his personal sports and outdoorsman interests and spending time with his extended family which now includes five grandchildren.

The longtime Kawasaki executive said “KMC will continue to grow and be a strong force in our industries. The company’s strength has always been its capable leadership, its dedicated employees, and its strong dealer network.”

Murr’s Strong Sales Background

Murr, who is also a charter life member of the AMA, began his career with KMC in 1974, joining the sales organization as dealer development coordinator in the company’s Atlanta regional offices. He was promoted to district manager two years later and while holding that position was recognized three times as the East Region district manager of the year. He also served on Kawasaki’s prestigious President’s Council.
Promoted to regional sales manager in 1990, Murr had responsibility for all of the brand’s product lines in the Central Region, prior to moving to California in 2001 to accept a similar position in the company’s West Region offices.

In January of this year, Murr was named assistant vice president, sales.

“Tony has shown through his many years of dedication to our products and our dealers that he is the right person to help us move forward in the coming years. We are fortunate to have his expertise available to guide our sales efforts,” said Hamada.

Murr has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He is married and has two daughters, one a schoolteacher in Pennsylvania and the other a college junior.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., is the wholesale distributor of Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI® watercraft, MULE™ utility vehicles, portable generators and power products. Kawasaki’s tagline, Let the good times roll™, is recognized worldwide for the spirit of fun, adventure and high performance that characterizes the Kawasaki recreational vehicle line. Kawasaki product lines are sold through a network of more than 8,000 independent retailers. The company and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 550 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.