Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Co. has made several changes in corporate finance
leadership, led by the promotion of Damon Audia.
Audia, formerly vice president and treasurer, has been appointed senior vice president of finance and treasurer. His expanded role includes handling Goodyear's investor relations and tax functions.
He was particularly instrumental in the execution of the plans to refinance the company over the last several years, according to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Darren Wells. "He has demonstrated the type of leadership we need in this role as we address the challenges of today's economy."
In a related move, Richard Noechel, formerly vice president and corporate controller, has been appointed vice president of finance for the company's North American Tire business, replacing Marc Voorhees, who has been named chief operating officer of North American Tire's consumer tire business.
In his new role, Voorhees "will focus on strategy, internal operations and back office support, allowing those closest to the market to concentrate on the customers," says Richard Kramer, president of the North American Tire business unit.
Vice President and Chief Information Officer Thomas Connell will replace Noechel as vice president and controller. Connell will retain his current leadership role for information technology.
"These moves reflect the Goodyear finance team's focus on
building our business," says Wells.
Audia, 37, joined Goodyear as assistant treasurer, capital markets in December 2004 from Delphi Corp., where he served in a variety of treasury and financial roles. Prior to Delphi, Audia spent time with General Motors Corp., Merck and Ford Motor Co. in a variety of finance positions.
Prior to becoming vice president and controller, Noechel, 40, had been chief financial officer of Goodyear's South Pacific Tyre subsidiary in Australia since 2006. He began his career with Goodyear in 2004, serving as assistant controller at the company's corporate headquarters in Akron.
Prior to joining Goodyear, Noechel was vice president and controller for The Kmart Corp. from 2001 through 2004. He also worked for DaimlerChrysler in various positions and for Price Waterhouse LLP.
Before being named Chief Information Officer in February, Connell, 59, had been vice president and controller for Goodyear since 2003. Prior to that, he spent 24 years in financial management positions with TRW Inc.
Voorhees, 53, had spent the last three years as vice president of finance after joining Goodyear from Eastman Kodak Co. In his 28 years with Kodak, Voorhees held various operational, financial and international positions.
For more information about Goodyear, visit www.goodyear.com.
