NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2008) — John Gamauf, president of consumer replacement tire sales since 2003 for Bridgestone/Firestone, will retire May 1, ending a 39-year career with BFS and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.
Gamauf will continue to serve as a director of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire L.L.C.´s board.
He will be succeeded by John Baratta, currently vice president of North American consumer tires sales and a 25-year BFS veteran. Baratta´s successor will be named later, the company said.
"It´s been my privilege to lead a sales and marketing organization that is the best in the business and to work with a dealer organization that is the most loyal, most effective and strongest distribution network in the country," Gamauf said in a statement.
Mark Emkes, chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc., praised Gamauf for his work at the company.
"Under his leadership, he and his team have developed the best consumer tire dealer network in the country," Emkes said. "Not only has he grown our consumer replacement tire sales to record levels, he´s also done a tremendous job developing the individuals who make up his team."
Gamauf joined the former Firestone Tire & Rubber in 1969 as a part-time general service technician at a company-owned store in Chicago. He was promoted to manager of the store in 1973 and continued to rise in the ranks, moving from retail to wholesale in 1984.