Takahashi Named Bridgestone Americas Chairman

A new chairman of the Board of Directors at Bridgestone Americas has been announced as part of a raft of senior management changes within Bridgestone Corporation. Taking on this role is Koki Takahashi, currently vice chairman and chief financial officer at Bridgestone Americas. He steps into this new position on March 18 and he replaces Masaaki Tsuya, who has served in the role in an interim basis in addition to his regular offices since January 1. Takahashi’s successor in the position of CFO will be announced at a later date, Bridgestone notes.

Takahashi has served as Bridgestone Americas’ CFO since August 2010 and the company comments he “brings a wealth of experience to his chairmanship of the BSAM Board of Directors.” This experience includes more than 30 years with the Bridgestone group of companies, time in which he has held various senior level finance positions within Bridgestone Corporation, including serving as CFO from 2008 through June 2010. During that time he also held the concurrent position of chief information officer and had other responsibilities. Before his latest assignment with Bridgestone Americas, Takahashi served as vice president, officer and assistant to the vice president and senior officer responsible for Corporate Administration at Bridgestone Corporation. Takahashi has also held positions of responsibility in both the Americas and Europe during his career.

“With his experience and track record of success, I know Koki will provide excellent leadership for our Board of Directors,” said Gary Garfield, CEO and president, Bridgestone Americas. “We were very privileged to have Tsuya-san serve in this very important role. I want to personally thank him for the leadership he provided our Board on an interim basis. Fortunately, Tsuya-san remains a member of the Bridgestone America’s Board so our organisation will continue to benefit from his business knowledge and strategic vision.”

In other company news, Bridgestone Corporation also announced the election of
Garfield and Eduardo Minardi, chief operating officer, Bridgestone Americas, and chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, as vice presidents and senior officers of Bridgestone Corporation, effective March 29, 2011. In addition, Christine Karbowiak, chief administrative officer and executive vice president at Bridgestone Americas, has been elected a vice president and officer of Bridgestone Corporation, also effective March 29.