Jeffrey Bleustein

Bleustein is a native of Scarsdale, New York, and comes from a family with a background in manufacturing. His grandfather, an immigrant from Poland, ran a company called Atlas Baby Carriage in the Bronx, along with his father and two of his uncles. After graduating from A.B. Davis High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, and a master's degree and PhD in engineering mechanics from Columbia University. He spent a year as a NATO postdoctoral fellow in England. ==Early career==

From 1966 to 1971, Bleustein was an associate professor of engineering and applied sciences at Yale University. In 1971, he decided to enter the corporate world and took a job as a technology consultant with American Machine and Foundry, commonly known as AMF, a sporting goods manufacturer. AMF had purchased the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company in 1969. In 1975, AMF assigned Bleustein to help reorganize Harley-Davidson's engineering operations, which he described as "an overgrown blacksmith shop" at that time. He began commuting from New York to Milwaukee one day a week to manage the process. ==Career at Harley-Davidson==

Bleustein became a Harley-Davidson employee in 1975, initially as vice president of engineering. AMF's ownership of Harley-Davidson was problematic, and by some accounts, the company was close to bankruptcy in the early 1980s. He stepped down as CEO in April, 2005 and was replaced by James L. Ziemer. As CEO, Bleustein was known for holding large numbers of face-to-face meetings with stakeholders, including customers, employees, stockholders and suppliers. He was an advocate of the "free flow of ideas" He was responsible for other engineering innovations, including rubber engine mounts to reduce vibration, redesign of the iconic Harley-Davidson V-twin engine, and introduction of Kevlar drive belts. He was an active participant in the Harley Owners Group, attending six or more events each year. ==Corporate boards and community service==

Bleustein is a member of the board of directors of the Brunswick Corporation ==References==