Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer to speak at University of Akron's leadership forum

AKRON—The University of Akron's long relationship with Goodyear continues as company Chairman and CEO Richard Kramer will address students, faculty and guests on Sept. 17.

The university said Aug. 28 that Kramer will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2019 Goodyear Executive Leadership Forum. The event is at 1:15 p.m. in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union Gardner Theater.

Kramer, who was named CEO in 2010 after a decade of rising through Goodyear's leadership ranks, has increased Goodyear's operating income five-fold since taking the reins of the company the university said.

"We are delighted and honored to welcome Richard Kramer to campus," said Susan Hanlon, interim dean of the College of Business Administration, in an announcement. "Our students are very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the successful leader of one of the world's most iconic companies."

Goodyear's relationship with the University of Akron is long and deep, and it's on display at the Goodyear Polymer Center, one of the tallest buildings in Akron and a jewel of the university's campus.

In addition to the center, Goodyear has sponsored a chair in the university's polymer department and the university recently has been seeking candidates for a Goodyear chair of intellectual property at the university's School of Law.

The Goodyear Executive Leadership Forum was established in 1981 to enable students, faculty and the community to interact with individuals of national and international stature, and its speakers have gone well beyond Goodyear executives in the past.

Among the companies who have sent their CEOs to speak at the event are Penske Corp., J.D. Power and Associates, the J.M. Smucker Co., Blue Apron, Charles Schwab Corp., FirstEnergy and the Sherwin-Williams Co., the university said.

For more information about the event, contact Danica Houle at [email protected] or 330-972-7442.