Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSAM) has announced that Mark Emkes, the company's chairman, CEO and president, will retire, effective Feb. 28, after more than 33 years of service.
Emkes also will retire from his position as a member of BSAM's board of directors and parent company Bridgestone Corp.
Upon Emkes' retirement, Bridgestone will separate the office of chairman and CEO "in order to further enhance the company's corporate governance structure and more clearly differentiate the responsibilities and accountabilities of BSAM's senior management offices," according to Bridgestone officials.
Effective March 1, Asahiko "Duke" Nishiyama will become chairman and Gary Garfield will become CEO and president.
Reporting to Garfield will be Eduardo Minardi, who will be named BSAM's chief operating officer. Minardi also will become chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC.
Ken Weaver, the current chairman, CEO and president of BSAM subsidiary, Firestone Diversified Products LLC, will report to Garfield, as well.
Reporting to Minardi will be Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC, which runs the firm's company-owned stores.
"I'm very excited about the leadership the new management team will bring Bridgestone Americas," says Emkes. "While each is a veteran of the Bridgestone Americas family, they have many innovative ideas that will serve the company well into the future."
