NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 14, 2010) — Mark Emkes, retired chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Inc., has accepted the post of commissioner of finance and administration in the administration of Tennessee Governor-elect Bill Haslam.
Emkes retired Feb. 28 of this year. He joined the former Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in 1976, and held top assignments for the company in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Mexico and Brazil. He became president of Bridgestone/Firestone Latin America in 2000 and chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire L.L.C. in 2002 before obtaining the top job at Bridgestone Americas in 2004.
A Bridgestone spokesman said the company congratulated Emkes. “This is a very prestigious appointment,” he said. “Mark has a wealth of experience as a financial and business leader. We wish him nothing but success.”