CYPRESS, Calif. (July 28, 2008) — Masaharu Yoshimoto has become a senior corporate officer for Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd., and James Hawk, senior vice president and plant manager of Toyo Tire North America Man- ufacturing Inc., has been named a corporate officer and promoted to president and plant manager.
Yoshimoto also will continue in his roles as president and CEO at Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp., Toyo said. He has served at the Cypress-based unit since 2005. He joined the tire maker in 1972 and has held various positions in several markets, including the U.S. and Australia.
Hawk will continue his service at the company's U.S. passenger car and light truck tire plant in White, Ga. He has been senior vice president of operations and plant manager of the operation since December 2004.