John Gamauf, president, consumer replacement tire sales, and vice president of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT), will retire on May 1, 2008. He will be replaced by John Baratta, currently vice president, North American consumer tire sales, for BFNT.
Gamauf, who started with Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. nearly 39 years ago, will continue to serve on BFNT's board of directors. Baratta’s successor will be named at a later date.
"Not only has (Gamauf) grown our consumer replacement tire sales to record levels, he’s also done a tremendous job developing the individuals who make up his team," says Mark Emkes, Chairman and CEO of BFNT and its parent company, Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. "John’s truly 'done it all' when it comes to retail tire sales.”
Gamauf, who started at a Chicago, Ill., Firestone company-owned store, has held a variety of positions at BFNT. He was promoted to executive director, dealer sales, in 1993 and two years later, to division vice president, dealer sales. He was promoted to his current position in 2003. Gamauf was responsible for the creation of BFNT's Affiliated Dealer Program, among other achievements.
Baratta, a 25-year veteran of Bridgestone Firestone, was promoted to his current position in 2006. During his career, he has held a variety of positions, including director of consumer replacement tires, regional marketing manager and others.
Emkes says Baratta's background "with our stores and in our wholesale channel will allow him to continue to build upon the many successes we’ve earned in our consumer replacement tire business."
