RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. has promoted four veteran executives to new positions that "reflect their important contributions to the tire brand."
The executives affected, and their new positions, are:
- Darren Thomas, senior vice president and chief operating officer;
- Rick Brennan, vice president of marketing;
- Matt Leeper, vice president, four-wheel sales; and
- Toby Beiner, vice president of finance.
"I congratulate my colleagues on their well-deserved promotions, as their hard work and result-oriented focus have helped SRNA become the highly successful company it is today," President and CEO Richard Smallwood said.
"Along with my other senior staff, I believe Falken Tires and Dunlop Motorcycle Tires are well-positioned to continue outperforming the market, building valuable OE partnerships, and providing the exceptional service our customers deserve."
Thomas, an SRNA employee since 1995, previously was senior vice president of sales and marketing. During his time with SRNA, Thomas has served in multiple sales, marketing and business development roles, doing so with a highly regarded "aggressive and analytical style."
"With the significant changes I foresee in the tire industry's near future, SRNA needs an aggressive, high energy, market-wise leader like Darren shaping the customer-facing aspects of our business so that we can best serve our customers," Smallwood said.
Brennan, who's been with SRNA since 2018, returns to a marketing function after several years of running the firm's strategic planning operations, a role that Smallwood said "has been largely responsible for the level of growth we have experienced over the past few years."
Brennan will continue to manage strategic planning activities as well.
Leeper, a 22-year SRNA veteran, most recently was director of consumer sales. In his new role, he will be responsible for all four-wheel replacement business. Smallwood praised him for his "strong customer relationships, and unrivaled loyalty and commitment to the company."
Beiner is being promoted from corporate controller. As vice president of finance, he will be directing SRNA's finance, accounting and credit functions upon the retirement of Peter Buck, SRNA's chief financial officer.
Buck plans to retire on April 1, 2021, capping a 13-year career with SRNA, but will stay on stay on in an advisory role through Nov. 30 to ensure a smooth transition.
SRNA is the Rancho Cucamonga-based subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. It oversees sales and distribution of the Falken and Ohtsu brands, as well as the Dunlop brand in original equipment applications with the North American subsidiaries of the Japanese vehicle makers and the Dunlop motorcycle brand in all applications.
