HispanicBusiness

Milwaukee, WI--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--December 13, 2004--The highest ranking Hispanic at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Jorge Hidalgo, vice president and general manager of H-D’s motorcycle assembly, vehicle operations plant in York, Penn., celebrates 10 years of leadership, service and growth.

Like many corporate executives, Hidalgo is passionate about his work. As a member of the leadership team for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, it’s hard not to be passionate about a product that has become an American icon.

But Hidalgo is also passionate about his roots. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Hidalgo has followed in the footsteps of many Hispanic-Americans who settled in the United States as children and grew up to become an important part of our cultural fabric and the nation’s success. Today, he continues to motor his own path of success as he celebrates 10 years of service at North America’s largest and oldest motorcycle manufacturer.

Since joining the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1994, Hidalgo, 46, has held several leadership positions. As vice president and general manager of vehicle operations in York, Hidalgo is responsible for all plant operations at the facility, which employs more than 3,200 people.

Hidalgo has also held other leadership positions at Harley-Davidson, including: major operating system leader for metal prep and finishing at the York Final Assembly Plant; product plant co-manager and manufacturing project manager for the Powder Coat Facility in Milwaukee; and general manager of Powertrain Operations, Pilgrim Road, also in Milwaukee.

“My career at Harley-Davidson has been very rewarding and exciting. I oversee the production of the world’s best motorcycles alongside the industry’s most committed and well-trained employees,” says Hidalgo. “From the CEO to the plant employee, many of us ride Harleys and remain passionate about sharing the motorcycling experience with everyone.”

Of course, Hidalgo’s main hobby is riding motorcycles. He currently owns four: a 2003 Ultra Classic Electra Glide; 2003 Softail Standard; 2001 Buell X1 Lightning; and a 2003 Buell Blast. Motorcycle riding is an activity that unites and brings the Hidalgo family together. “I usually ride with my kids,” says Hidalgo. “My motorcycling highlight in 2004 was riding with my oldest son through the Alps in Italy and Austria.”

Prior to joining Harley-Davidson, Hidalgo was an assistant plant manager for Carrier of Mexico. Before that, he worked at Texas Instruments as a manufacturing supervisor. Hidalgo also served seven years active military duty in the U.S. Army where he held a variety of leadership positions.

Hidalgo’s professional career has given him the opportunity to live in Berlin, Germany and Monterrey, Mexico. He speaks three languages - English, Spanish and German.

Parents Geraldo Pichardo and Lidia Hidalgo moved their family - including the young Jorge - to New York City in the mid 1960’s. Hidalgo’s parents provided a loving and disciplined home. Old world Dominican values like respect, honor and duty were deeply rooted and replanted in New York City where Hidalgo grew up. Education was valued and “top of the class” good grades expected.

Taking an entrance exam to enter high school, Hidalgo graduated in 1977 from Brooklyn Technical High School, where he majored in aeronautical engineering. From there, Hidalgo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He continued his education and in 1992 received a Master of Science degree in operations management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Earlier this year Hidalgo was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell to serve on the state’s Workforce Investment Board. In addition, Hidalgo also serves on the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business Industrial Advisory Board.

Married since 1981, Hidalgo’s wife is Andrea Jean. They have four children: Jared Vincent, 22; Miles Sebastian, 20; Daren Miguel, 18; and Carmen Raquel, 16. Jared is a senior at the University of Wisconsin, studying criminal justice. Miles is in his junior year at the United States Military Academy at West Point, majoring in economics and arabic. Daren and Carmen attend Dallastown High School in York, Penn.

In the U.S. motor category industry, Hidalgo is one of the leading Hispanics in a senior executive leadership position. He is truly a role model and an inspiration to all Hispanics. He personifies hard-work, dedication, perseverance, educational achievement and family.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution image is available at: http://www.hispanicprwire.com/index_in.php