Toyo Announces Sales Team Promotions

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has promoted four members of its sales management team to new roles.

"Ken Cole, Shawn Blythe, Bill Carroll and Steven Shearer have been elevated to director-level roles across sales, strategic accounts, retail channels and operations," according to Toyo officials. "The promotions reflect Toyo’s commitment to internal leadership development and continued growth in a changing tire market."

Now Toyo's director of sales, commercial accounts, Cole started with Toyo in 2017 and replaces Bill Barfield, who retired at the end of last year.

Blythe has been with Toyo for five-plus years. In his new role as director of strategic accounts distribution, "Blythe will continue to drive success for the company and its partners."

Carroll now serves as Toyo's director, national retail channel, car channel and motorsports tires. He has previously served as the senior manager, strategic retail national accounts, where he led the sales efforts for Toyo's retail auto channel.

Shearer has been with Toyo since 2012 "and has held roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as the senior manager of marketing communications, where he led a wide range of marketing activities. Shearer has been appointed to director of sales, operations and training, succeeding Anne Holland who will retire at the end of March."

“Ken, Shawn, Bill and Steve have shown strong leadership as senior managers of their respective teams and have been integral in the success of Toyo over the years,” says Mike Snyder, vice president, sales, Toyo. “Their promotions are well-deserved and have enabled Toyo to solidify the mid-level management team that carries the organization into the future. I’m confident that their leadership will ensure the company’s continued growth over the coming years.”