US Highland Names New Executives

The Oklahoma-based company has appointed two new directors to its board and management team following the deaths of President and founder Mats Malmberg, Chief Operating Officer Chase Bales and Chief Financial Officer Damian Riddoch in the July 10 plane crash.

Darin Long and Christer Wagenius were named to US Highlands board of directors, joining Chairman Bengt Andersson, the companys only remaining director following the crash. Long and Wagenius will hold their positions on the board until successors are elected or until the next annual shareholders meeting.

Wagerius, 69, is a partner in the business law firm of Advokatfirman Wagenius & Partners HB in AB Highland Groups native country, Sweden.

Martin Lind, the companys director of product development and R&D and lead engineer at Highland AB Group, will step into the role of vice president of operations.

Michael La Lond, the director of management consulting at Tulsa, Okla., firm Southbridge Advisory Group, will take over Riddochs role as interim CFO.

Long, previously director of Asia Operations of parent company AB Highland Group, has also been appointed COO and will manage US Highlands day-to-day operations. Long is also an executive director of Millenial Research Corp. which is working with US Highland on a joint venture to produce an electric hub motor. Longs appointment may be an indication of the direction the company will take in the future.

Even though it is hard to fill Mats, Chase and Damians shoes, Darin and Martin have been involved with operations, marketing, and business development for our company from the start, and are driving forces in the company and very knowledgeable of the industry, says Steven A. Moell US Highland chief executive officer. Michael brings significant public company and transition team experience in corporate accounting, and as a financial officer. They were all a natural choice. We will continue to grow US Highland into one of the most successful powersports companies in the U.S.

Private uneral services were held last week for Malmberg, Bales and Riddoch.

Related Reading
US Highland executives die in plane crash