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Restructures and evolves its Government Relations Department to better serve members across the nation
PICKERINGTON, OH – May 18, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The American Motorcyclist Association has appointed Nick Haris as Government Relations Director, while also restructuring and evolving its Government Relations Department to better serve members and support its mission: to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.
“The AMA Government Relations Department stands on the front lines in the defense of motorcyclists’ rights, and we are committed to continuing our investment in a team that ensures the effectiveness of these efforts,” said AMA Present and CEO Rob Dingman. “Nick has a long record of success working in our Government Relations Department and will bring skilled leadership to his new role as the Government Relations Director.”
Nick Haris, previously the Western States Representative in the Government Relations Department, has held an advocacy role with the AMA since 2001. Haris also serves on the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Commission for Mobility, is a member of the California Motorcycle Safety Program advisory committee, and sits on the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation board of directors.
As Haris steps into his new role as Director, the Government Relations Department will also have a new structure that refocuses the team’s efforts to better represent motorcyclists at all levels of government: federal, regional, state and local.
As part of this evolution, the team will bring on board an experienced Washington Representative to monitor and influence policies and programs at the federal level. To increase representation at the regional and state level, the AMA is adding Central States and Eastern States Representatives to the team, while Haris will concurrently work as the Western States Representative along with his director duties. At the local level, the AMA will hire a Grassroots Specialist to coordinate and support government relations activities of local members, clubs and affiliates across the country.
Haris expressed his enthusiasm for leading the newly restructured department.
“I’m encouraged that we are adjusting the way we do government relations,” Haris said, “structuring it to better meet the needs of our members and engage with elected officials. Regionalization of the department allows our team to better establish and cultivate relationships with legislators and State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations. This restructure allows our team to be more responsive and agile when it comes to taking action on behalf of our members in a timely manner.”
The AMA is the largest and most influential motorcycling organization in the nation, with more than 214,000 members who ride for fun, sport, travel work or adventure. Its members are part of a diverse and passionate community of riders who love the freedom and thrill of riding and racing. The AMA Government Relations Department makes sure that motorcyclists can enjoy riding without unnecessary hassles or restrictions from the government, while advocating for laws and funding that expand riding opportunities.
To read more from new AMA Government Relations Director Nick Haris on the restructured department, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/big-changes-bigger-opportunities
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Source: American Motorcyclist Association
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It seems like Mr Haris is probably being absorbed by the Washington DC “government approved” blob. Like this line in the above story: “part of this evolution, the team will bring on board an experienced Washington Representative to monitor and influence policies” FOR the government or FOR the AMA? “Evolving” usual means “caving in” and/or compromising. Motorcyclists “compromised” with California’s government and now 2 Stroke dirt bikes are NOT being issued off-road stickers effectively banning 2 Stroke dirt bikes from using the OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE Parks we ALL PAY TO USE. The puny and nearly insignificant pieces of land we call OHV Parks the AMA “compromised” motorcyclists onto. Also, the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation, what did it do when the State of California “lost” $54 million in OHV taxpayer funds to operate the OHV Parks? AMA members and dirt bike and off road enthusiasts raised $10 million dollars to “re-open” the OHV Parks and presented the state with a check for those funds. Then a few weeks later, California “found” the “lost” taxpayer’s $54 million. The State of California “loses” $54 million in TAXPAYER’S money demonstrating that it is NOT responsible in handling monies or the lands it “governs” for use by motorcyclists. Look at nearly every OHV Park in the state and you’ll see 20 to 50% of it cutoff from use by the motorcyclists (if it isnt 100% closed off) it’s supposed to serve. Motorcyclists have compromised and now the State is “stealing” away the very lands we compromised onto. California motorcyclists have EVERY RIGHT to use EVERY INCH of EVERY OHV Park they’ve PAID for. What is Mr Haris going to actually do about it? Take FEDERAL monies with strings attached that effectively strips more land use away?