AKRON-Goodyear has named Joseph Zekoski, a 27-year company veteran, general director of the tire maker´s Luxembourg Technical Centre, replacing Jean Bergh, who is retiring after 37 years of service.
Zekoski is a respected leader in both the firm´s technology and business organizations, with an outstanding background working in close partnership with our customers and our businesses, according to Joseph Gingo, executive vice president, quality systems and chief technical officer.
Gingo said Zekoski has the combination of business, technical and market experience needed to ensure a strong link and integration between those functions.
Zekoski, 55, will report to Gingo and to Arthur de Bok, president of Goodyear´s European Union strategic business unit.
Most recently, Zekoski served as director of the company´s North American Tire retread business. He joined Goodyear in 1979 as a tire designer, and was director of technology, North American Tire commercial business from 2002 until 2004. Throughout his career he has held numerous technology leadership roles in North American Tire and was general director of the company´s air spring and molded products business.
He holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master´s degree in business administration from California State University-Dominguez Hills.
Bergh, 63, joined Goodyear in 1968 in Luxembourg and was named to his current position in 2002.