Goodyear promotes Jon Bellissimo, Laura Duda to new positions

AKRON—Goodyear is promoting Jon Bellissimo to senior vice president, global operations and technology, and Laura Duda to senior vice president, global communications, and chief communications officer.

Both appointments are effective Jan. 1.

Bellissimo, currently vice president, Americas product development and head of Goodyear Chemical, will provide executive leadership for Goodyear's global engineering, quality, procurement, manufacturing and environmental, health, safety and sustainability, sales and operations planning and project management duties.

He succeeds Joe Zekoski, who will retire after nearly 40 years at Goodyear.

Bellisimo brings 40-plus years of experience in the design, development and manufacturing of Goodyear products, having served in a variety of roles at the regional and global levels. He also was director of Goodyear's Innovation Center in Akron and has played a role in manufacturing plant startups around the world.

Under his leadership, the tire maker said, "Goodyear North America developed, industrialized and manufactured some of the most successful tires in its history, including the Assurance WeatherReady."

Laura Duda, vice president, Americas communications, since 2016, will succeed Paul Fitzhenry, who will leave Goodyear after the first quarter of 2019.

In her new role, Duda will lead all aspects of Goodyear's global communications, including media relations, associate communications, corporate reputation, philanthropy, community relations and the company's fleet of airships.

Duda joined Goodyear in 2016 after almost 20 years of experience in strategic communications in the energy industry. Before joining Goodyear, she led corporate, utility and commercial communications for Chicago-based Exelon Corp.

Fitzhenry is returning to the East Coast to join his family, Goodyear said. He joined Goodyear in 2012.

Both leaders will report directly to Richard Kramer, chairman, CEO and president.

Kramer called Bellissimo and Duda "proven leaders who will bring both innovative thinking and deep industry knowledge that will position Goodyear for the future."

He also thanked Zekoski and Fitzhenry for "their tireless work and commitment to Goodyear," which he said "has had a lasting impact on our associates and helped position our company for ongoing success."