Key individuals will help Bridgestone tackle a rapidly changing industry.
Bridgestone has announced executive leadership changes in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa.
Effective January 15, 2020, Gordon Knapp, Vice Chair and Executive Officer of Bridgestone Corporation and President, CEO and COO of Bridgestone Americas, will transition out of his executive roles, while remaining onboard as a strategic adviser to the company until March 31, 2020, at which time he will retire. He has served as President and CEO of Bridgestone Americas since 2016.
Paolo Ferrari, currently Executive Vice President, Executive Officer and Global Digital Strategic Officer of Bridgestone Corporation, and Member of the Board, CEO and President of Bridgestone Europe NV/SA (Bridgestone EMIA), and Chairman of the Bridgestone Americas Board, will become President, CEO and COO of Bridgestone Americas, succeeding Knapp.
Masaaki Tsuya, currently the Chairman, CEO and Representative Executive Officer of Bridgestone Corporation, will assume the role of Chairman of the Bridgestone Americas Board.
Laurent Dartoux, Vice President and Officer of Bridgestone Corporation and Member of the Board, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer and COO of Bridgestone EMIA, has been named President and CEO of Bridgestone EMIA effective January 15, 2020, succeeding Ferrari. He has also been promoted to Vice President and Senior Officer of Bridgestone Corporation, effective January 1, 2020.
Emilio Tiberio, Vice President and Officer of Bridgestone Corporation and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Bridgestone EMIA, has been named COO of Bridgestone EMIA, succeeding Dartoux, effective January 15, 2020.
“These changes reflect the company’s strong, continued focus on succession planning and developing talent capable of global leadership,” said Tsuya. “As our industry rapidly changes, I am confident we have the right team in place to accelerate our company’s transformation into a global leader in advanced mobility and sustainable solutions for a world in motion.”