American Motorcyclist Association Adds to Government Relations Staff
Zach Farmer and Nick Sands bring political expertise to help deliver on the AMA’s mission to protect motorcycling.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (August 4, 2023) — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) bolstered its Government Relations Department in July with the additions of Washington Representative Zach Farmer and Central States Representative Nick Sands.
The hiring of Farmer and Sands is another major step in the AMA’s commitment to reshaping its Government Relations Department, with the aim of protecting motorcyclists’ rights more effectively.
“The addition of Zach and Nick is a huge step in our drive to adjust our government relations strategies in order to more effectively protect our members,” Government Relations Director Nick Haris said. “Both of them bring firsthand legislative experience, as well as a love for motorcycles, that will only further the vision of our department and ensure the rights of motorcyclists are protected at all levels of government.”
A lifelong rider, Farmer brings extensive government experience — alongside his love for motorcycles — to the AMA. After his graduation from High Point University, Farmer worked on statewide and congressional campaigns in his home state of North Carolina before moving to Washington D.C., where he served in the congressional offices of Representative Mark Walker from North Carolina and Representative Warren Davidson from Ohio.
Most recently, Farmer served as the Director of Congressional Affairs for the Council for Opportunity in Education, a non-profit organization that advocates for first-generation, low-income college students.
Farmer will continue to operate out of Washington D.C. with the AMA and will handle legislative and policy issues at the federal level.
“This is an exciting opportunity to advocate for the interests of the AMA in Washington, D.C.,” Farmer said, “and ensure motorcyclists have a prominent presence in policy-making discussion.”
Sands, a native of Warsaw, Ind., completed his undergraduate degree in political science at Earlham College in 2019 before moving to Colorado to begin his career in politics. While in Colorado, Sands started out as a legislative aide at the Colorado General Assembly for then-Representative Hugh McKean. Working at the Colorado House Minority office since 2021, Sands was elevated to Chief of Staff ahead of the 2023 legislative session.
As the Central States Representative, Sands will primarily focus on protecting the rights of motorcyclists across the Central United States at the regional and state level.
Like Farmer, Sands is also a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys riding in his free time.
“As a rider from Indiana and current resident of Colorado, I understand the prominence of motorcycling (both on and off-road) within the Central United States,” Sands said. “With that in mind, I look forward to fighting for the rights of motorcyclists between the coasts at regional and state levels.”
The AMA continues to look for the right candidates to expand its government relations capabilities on behalf of its members, particularly in the Eastern United States and at the grassroots level. Interested applicants with backgrounds in advocacy, communications or government are encouraged to inquire at jobs@ama-cycle.org for details on open positions.
