Bridgestone announces personnel restructuring

Oct. 21, 2008
Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc (BSAH), Nashville TN, has announced a restructuring of its Americas tire operations effective January 1, 2009

Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc (BSAH), Nashville TN, has announced a restructuring of its Americas tire operations effective January 1, 2009.

Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama will lead the new unit, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). Reporting into this unit will be the company’s Latin American tire operations, the United States and Canadian consumer tire businesses, and the US and Canadian commercial tire businesses.

Eduardo Minardi will continue as president of the company’s Latin American Tire division; Michael K Gorey, will serve as president, US and Canada Consumer Tire Sales division; Saul A Solomon will serve as president, US and Canada Commercial Tire Sales division; and Narumi “Nick” Zaitsu, will assume the additional title of executive vice-president.

As a result of the restructuring of the Americas tire business and the reassignment of team members to new positions within BATO, the following additional changes in Bridgestone America assignments were also announced: Ken Weaver to chief executive officer and president of Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products (BFDP), and Tim Walsh to Bridgestone Americas Corporate Controller.

Christine Karbowiak, vice-president, Community and Corporate Relations, BSAH, will join the Bridgestone Americas Board of Directors.

Bridgestone Firestone also announced promotions of Kurt Danielson to vice-president, Sales and Marketing, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS); Doyle Bradford to vice-president, Sales for BBTS; Tim Chen, vice-president, Marketing for BBTS; and Troy Geuther, Controller, BBTS.