Harley-Davidson’s Jim Ziemer (’75, ’86) Receives Honorary Doctorate
James L. Ziemer (’75, ’86), President & CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. was recognized at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s spring commencement ceremony with an Honorary Doctorate in Commercial Science.
UWM's honorary degree recognizes a career of extraordinary accomplishment, evidenced by the sum and distinction of the individual’s professional achievements, extraordinary intellectual merit, and personal integrity.
Ziemer began his career with Harley-Davidson in 1969, working as a freight elevator operator alongside his full-time college studies at UWM. After a two-year stint in the Army and the completion of his accounting degree at UWM in 1975, he was promoted to Harley’s accounting department.
Milwaukee business historians will note that the 1980s was a challenging decade for Harley-Davidson – one through which Jim Ziemer played a critical role. Battling fierce competition from the Japanese and struggling with quality problems, a Harley management team led a leveraged buyout of the firm.
During the turbulent times of Harley’s turn-around , Ziemer was climbing the executive ranks and proving himself as a key member of the Harley executive team. His star continued to rise as he was named Vice President and Controller in 1987, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1990. He was named President and CEO of Harley-Davidson in April 2005. He also serves on the company’s board of directors.
Ziemer was named by President George W. Bush to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the President’s private sector advisory panel on trade policy.
Within the community, Ziemer serves as Vice Chair of Junior Achievement, a Co-Chair of the 2008 United Way campaign, and a past Committee Chair for the Next Door Foundation. In addition, he serves as Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Foundation.
His strong and steady support of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Lubar School is evidenced through his service as co-chair of the successful Campaign for UWM and on the Lubar School Business Advisory Council.
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