LAKE CHARLES, La. (May 29, 2007) – Firestone Polymers, LLC, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products, has named Gene Lavengco to Factory Manager at its Lake Charles, La., synthetic rubber facility. He replaces Jim Mathis, who has retired from the company after 41 years of service.

Lavengco, with more than 27 years of experience including various engineering management positions with Firestone Polymers, is a three-time winner of the Firestone President’s Award for Outstanding Performance and a recipient of a 2006 Bridgestone Americas CEO Award.

“I am honored to lead the Lake Charles facility,” stated Lavengco. “I have been with this company for almost three decades, and I am excited for what the future holds for the Lake Charles family.”

In announcing Lavengco’s appointment as factory manager, Madhu Dewan, Director of Manufacturing at Firestone Polymers, said, “Gene has been instrumental to the success of Firestone’s Polymers operations. Our company is extremely fortunate to have his leadership and vast experience as we face an increasingly competitive global market.”

The Firestone Polymers synthetic rubber facility in Lake Charles has an annual capacity of 180,000 metric tons and ships products to Bridgestone Group tire plants around the world. The facility was recently awarded Federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) STAR (Safety Through Accountability and Recognition) status for its outstanding safety program.

Lavengco holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from McNeese State University. Married for 29 years, Lavengco and wife, Darlene, have resided in Lake Charles for 34 years. Their son, Cade, studies veterinary medicine at Louisiana State University. Lavengco is an active member of Sale Street Baptist Church and supports many community projects in the Lake Charles area.