Harley CEO Stepping Down – where do I send my resume?

Jim Ziemer is planning to retire next year.

Harley-Davidson Inc. president and CEO Jim Ziemer said Monday he intends to retire in 2009, ending a 40-year career with the maker of Fat Boy and Softail motorcycles.

He's 58 years old - what does he think he is, a teacher?

Ziemer will remain in his current role until a new chief executive is in place, Harley said in a news release.

The company's board of directors has begun searching for his replacement.

Search no longer! I'm right here!

Yeah, okay, they're probably looking for somebody who actually has some experience running international corporations. Even Democrats want experience in their employees these days.

Still, though, thanks to the economy, there's really no way to go but up:

Ziemer, 58, has been CEO since 2005. He led Harley to consecutive annual profits in 2005 and 2006, but this year the company has reduced its 2008 earnings outlook to as little as $3 per share, down about 20% from $3.74 a year earlier.

Brand loyalty runs deep, yet even Harley, the largest U.S. motorcycle manufacturer, hasn't been able to overcome recent economic realities and a dearth in consumer spending.

Harley shares have lost more than 60% of their value this year.

Way I figure: go with the flow, wait for the economy to turn around, sign Danica Patrick for a new ad campaign, and then take my golden parachute once the numbers are up. That's a winning plan!