Roth leaves Tenneco for Goodyear's Vehicle Systems Group

April 6, 2001

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. hired Stephen Roth to head up its new Vehicle Systems Group. Roth, formerly with Tenneco Automotive Inc., brings an extensive background in the development of suspension products and assemblies to the table.

"Steve's experience in these areas will serve us well as we develop and market our 'corner systems' for automotive OEMs," says Bill Hopkins, vice president for global products and technology planning.

The Vehicle Systems Group was formed last year "to develop a system that integrates tires and Engineered Products with peer partners to provide higher value-added system products to our original equipment customers," according to Hopkins.

Roth is the fourth major executive in the last eight months to join the company from outside the tire industry. Last September, Goodyear brought Robert Keegan, former Eastman Kodak president, in as COO and president of the company. Steve Buckus, hired away from FedEx Services, is the new director of global infrastructure.

Most recently, Goodyear hired Cathryn Fischer, formerly with Newell-Rubbermaid Inc. and Proctor & Gamble Co., as vice president and chief marketing officier. She will head up global marketing and brand management for the company.