Darren Thomas proves you can go home again. Thomas, vice president of sales and marketing for Falken Tire Corp. from 2002-2008, has returned as senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Most recently, Thomas managed the efforts of Franzen Hill Corp., a Petroleum/CNG/LNG contractor for his family in Central California. In his new role, he is heading up the passenger, light truck, and medium truck sales and marketing efforts for the Falken, Ohtsu, and private brand categories in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Thomas will report directly to Richard Smallwood, CEO and president of Falken's parent company, Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. He will operate out of the company's North American headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
“I’ve been looking forward to a return to the tire industry for the past six years," says Thomas. "SRI’s (Sumitomo Rubber Industries’) obvious commitment to make Falken a globally recognized brand through the rapid expansion of OE fitments, a global marketing campaign, and the strongest product line ever, makes my return home to Falken very sweet, indeed. I’m excited to reconnect with our dealer base and immediately take the lead in the continued evolution of the Falken brand and its distribution.
"It’s time to take Falken back to its Tier 2 roots and provide our dealer base with a brand that provides solid margins and product that moves efficiently through the distribution network.”
Sumitomo Rubber North America says it chose Thomas to "reestablish (the company's) role as the leading marketer in the second tier" by not only realigning the sales and marketing departments, but also developing the 2017 Dealer Program.
