Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. (BSAH) has reorganized its finance department. The changes affect both Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiary, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC. (BFNT).
Tim Walsh, currently on assignment in Brussels, Belgium, with BSAH's European sister company, Bridgestone Europe NV/SA, will be returning to the United States as Bridgestone Firestone's controller. In this position, Walsh will be responsible for spearheading BFNT's "mid-term planning" process, as well as that subsidiary's month-end financial close.
Ken Weaver, presently BFNT's vice president of finance and controller, will be promoted to corporate controller of BSAH (a post currently held by John Vispo, who also serves as BSAH's vice president of finance) and retain his responsibilities as BFNT vice president of finance. Weaver's new responsibilities as BSAH corporate controller will include leading the BSAH mid-term planning process and that company's month-end financial close.
As BSAH's vice president of finance, Vispo will retain his responsibilities for the company's overall financial activities, including purchasing, auditing, tax and external financial reporting.
Under this new structure, Walsh will report to Weaver, and Weaver will report to Vispo. Vispo will continue to report directly to BSAH Chief Financial Officer Shoji "Sam" Mizuochi. The changes are effective March 16, 2007.
"The changes announced today are intended to help us continue to 'build our bench' and recognize both the great value of experience and the opportunity to learn about and take advantage of cross-training and best practices from other parts of the Bridgestone family of companies," says Mizuochi.
