John DeSalle Says Goodbye to Hoosier Racing Tire

Nov. 18, 2019

After more than three decades at Hoosier Racing Tire Corp., John DeSalle, the company's president, is retiring.

DeSalle began his career with Hoosier in 1988, developing radial race tire technology. Over the years, he took on more responsibilities, including managing all of Hoosier’s tire engineering, environmental safety and health activities, plant engineering, employee training, test labs and plant scheduling. In 2010, DeSalle was promoted to vice president of engineering and manufacturing, and in 2016 he took on the responsibility of president of Hoosier when the company was acquired by Continental Tire the Americas LLC.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with such hardworking, dedicated and wonderful people,” says DeSalle. “I’ve enjoyed working with everyone on the team and I’m especially proud of our accomplishments over the years.”

“We appreciate John’s dedication to Hoosier and his leadership, without him Hoosier would not be where it is today” says Jochen Etzel, CEO of Continental Tire the Americas and Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation. “John’s passion for the betterment of the local community is exemplary. The opportunity for him to channel this passion alongside his business and leadership skills in this new role at Notre Dame is a great fit. I look forward to seeing what John will do in this capacity and the positive impact his efforts will bring to the community.”

DeSalle's successor at Hoosier Tire has yet to be named. He will continue in his role with Hoosier on a part-time basis until his replacement is in place.

DeSalle is shifting gears as he retires from the tire world and he joins the University of Notre Dame’s iNDustry Labs as an executive engineer in residence this November. He will serve as a translator and bridge builder who will regularly visit companies, articulate industry challenges and identify available resources through the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation Network to help drive regional industry advancement.

iNDustry Labs connects a network of cutting-edge research facilities, experiential learning programs and dedicated expertise across the University of Notre Dame to regional industry and educational partners in support of a more prosperous, resilient and skilled region.

Thomas Fuja, interim dean of the College of Engineering and faculty director of iNDustry Labs, says DeSalle “ brings a depth of understanding of the local community and what it means to be operating a business in this environment that will be absolutely vital to making LIFT/iNDustry Labs the success we know it can be.”

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