WASHINGTON—For the second year, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association has selected "Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors" from its member companies to meet with federal lawmakers as advocates for issues important to the tire manufacturing industry.
Each of the USTMA's 12 current members chose employees from their plants who, in the association's words, embody the industry's commitment to safety and demonstrate superior leadership, passion and service.
"Our ambassadors and the facilities in which they work are impacted by the decisions of our nation's policymakers, and maintain a unique perspective that needs to be heard by members of Congress," USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke said in a statement.
Accompanied by USTMA staff, the ambassadors met with staffers in a dozen congressional offices representing states that have a strong tire manufacturing presence, the association said.
This year's ambassadors were:
• Frances Ellis-Lynch, quality assurance officer, Bridgestone Americas Inc., Wilson, N.C.
• Larsen Cline, executive assistant to plant manager, Continental Tire the Americas Inc., Sumter, S.C.
• Luke Schroeder, engineering manager, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Findlay, Ohio.
• Ashley Stewart, market research analyst, Giti Tire (U.S.A.) Ltd., Fort Mill, S.C.
• Anthony Jackson, technical leader, Goodyear, Fayetteville, N.C.
• Wes Boling, public affairs manager, Hankook Tire America Corp., Nashville, Tenn.
• Binh Dang, inside sales manager, Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc., Atlanta, Ga.
• Jackie Branscomb, tire performance engineer, Michelin North America Inc., Greenville, S.C.
• Sarah Sandidge, account manager, Pirelli Tire North America, Rome, Ga.
• Nicholas Kreuter, industrial engineer, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Buffalo, N.Y.
• Christopher Major, group leader—Technical Mold Group, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., White, Ga.
• Christian Yates, senior environmental specialist, Yokohama Tire Corp., Salem, Va.