Bridgestone increases Karbowiak's duties

March 24, 2010

Christine Karbowiak, executive vice president of community and corporate relations for Bridgestone Americas Inc., will have an additional title effective April 1, 2010: chief administrative officer.

Karbowiak will be responsible for the company’s environmental affairs; Internal Audit, Safety and Industrial Hygiene departments; and corporate security functions as chief administrative officer. She will retain her community and corporate relations’ responsibilities, which include government, media and community relations as well as internal communications and overall brand oversight for the Bridgestone Americas family of companies,

"With her strategic vision, creativity and excellent problem-solving skills, I am very confident that she is the right leader to manage these important functions for Bridgestone Americas," says CEO and President Gary Garfield.

Karbowiak joined the company’s Retail Operations in Rolling Meadows, Ill., as senior counsel in June 1992. She was promoted to assistant general counsel in 1993, and division general counsel in 1997. She later was named vice president of public affairs.

On January 1, 2009, Chris became a member of the Bridgestone Americas board of directors, becoming the first woman to serve on the board of a major Bridgestone Group company.

Karbowiak also serves on the board of Bridgestone Brands, LLC; Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund (chair); Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry (past chair); Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce (member of the executive committee); Tennessee State Museum Foundation; Japan America Society of Tennessee (chair, nominating committee); Tennessee Business Roundtable; and Franklin American Music City Bowl, (chair; member of the Executive and Selection Committees).