Bridgestone Americas Inc. has named Ben Skubish the new general manager of its Bridgestone Affiliated Retailer Nationwide Network, replacing Barry Feasel, who is retiring on Jan. 1 after 40 years with Bridgestone.
Feasel, who started his career as a Firestone assistant store manager and has held a variety of sales and management positions, has led Bridgestone's Affiliated Nationwide Network Program since 2002.
Prior to joining the tiremaker in 2019, Skubish was an independent tire retailer, as well as a member of the program - which encompasses 3,100 points of sale nationwide - for more than 15 years.
“I am excited to get started, take ownership of the program and continue to serve our independent dealers,” says Skubish. “Having been an Affiliated Retailer member and served on the Affiliated Retailer Advisory Committee for two years, I have been provided with great insight into the needs of today’s independent tire and service retailers.
"There are many reasons I pursued a career with Bridgestone after our family sold our store in 2018, including the professionalism of the Bridgestone team, the quality of the company’s products and the genuine concern Bridgestone has for the independent dealer. I look forward to leading this new
chapter of the Affiliated Retailer program.”
“It has been a privilege to work for such a great company,” says Feasel. “The quality of the people I have had the opportunity to work with over the years has been exceptional. During my 16 years of managing our Affiliate program, I have had the good fortune to build relationships with some of the finest entrepreneurs in our industry, our independent retail dealers.
"I am totally confident in the future direction of the Affiliated Retailer program. Ben brings a unique perspective and vision to the program, and I have no doubt he will continue to grow the program, foster relationships and achieve plateaus not yet reached.”
"During my 16 years of managing our affiliate program, I have had the good fortune to build relationships with some of the finest entrepreneurs in our industry," says Barry Feasel.
