TOKYO—The top two executives at Bridgestone Americas and Bridgestone Europe N.V./S.A. are among a group who have been promoted to senior roles.
Gary Garfield, Bridgestone president and chief executive officer, also will serve as senior vice president. Garfield was Bridgestone's vice president and senior officer since February, 2011.
Gordon Knapp, chief operating officer and chairman and CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, will serve as vice president and senior officer. Knapp previously was vice president and officer.
The promotions, which are in addition to their current duties, were among 26 executive appointments Bridgestone released.
In addition, Christine Karbowiak, chief administrative officer, chief risk officer and executive vice president, will serve as vice president and senior officer. She previously was vice president and officer.
Bridgestone also appointed Philip Dobbs, chief marketing officer, U.S. & Canada Consumer and Commercial Tire Operations, and Bill Thompson, chief financial officer. Both will serve as vice president and officer of the Toyko-based parent company. Neither previously held positions with the parent corporation.
Dobbs also has been named to serve on the Board of Directors for Bridgestone Americas.
Eduardo Minardi, who has been executive chairman of Bridgestone Europe since March, has been pointed senior vice president. Minardi also served as vice president and senior officer.
Other promotions affecting the tire maker's global tire business include:
• Shingo Kubota and Kenishi Togami, promoted to vice president and officer, assistant to senior vice president, responsible for international tire business operations.
• Mitsuhira Shimazaki, vice president and officer, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Russia tire business operations, international tire business operations.