Vaughn Beals

Vaughn L. Beals, Jr.
Born	1928 Massachusetts, United States
Known for	President, Harley-Davidson
Awards	Automotive Hall of Fame distinguished service citation Motorcycle Hall of Fame (2008)

Vaughn L. Beals, Jr. was Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson between 1981 and 1989, and chairman from 1981 to 1996. He was inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2008.

Beals earned bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He worked at North American Aviation and Cummins as engineer and executive. He was CEO, chairman, and president of Formac (Washington Iron Works) in Seattle, a company that made large engines and logging equipment.

He worked at American Machine and Foundry (AMF), becoming vice-president of the division that operated Harley-Davidson (bought by AMF in 1969).

In 1981, Beals and 12 other investors, including Willie G. Davidson, initiated a management buyout. Harley was bought from AMF for $65 million.

During his leadership of Harley, he initiated the use of just-in-time delivery and other manufacturing reforms, after seeing these practices in use at the Honda Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio. He also directed creation of Harley Owners Group in 1983, today the world's largest factory-sponsored motorcycle club.

In 2004, Beals and his wife Eleanore Woods Beals, an alumna, established the Woods-Beals endowed chair at Buffalo State College. It was the institution's first endowed chair.

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