Bridgestone Americas Announces Promotions Brooks promoted to Chief Information Officer; Owens promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 8, 2010) - Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) today announced the promotion of Stephen Brooks, formerly President, U.S., Canada and Monterrey Manufacturing Group (BAMG), to the newly created position of Chief Information Officer, BSAM. Also announced today, Barrett “Barry” Owens, formerly Executive Director, Process Engineering Development, will assume Brooks’ responsibilities and has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Manufacturing, BAMG. Both promotions are effective immediately.
In his new position as Chief Information Officer (CIO), Brooks will oversee all Information Technology (IT) functions for the Bridgestone Americas family of companies and report directly to Gary A. Garfield, CEO and President, BSAM.
Since joining the then Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., now BSAM, in 1989, Brooks has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Team Leader, Area Manager, Manager Scheduling, IE and Division Manager, and Production Control/Information Services at the company’s Warren County, Tenn., plant. In 1998, Brooks was promoted to the position of General Manager, Manufacturing, at the company’s Aiken County manufacturing facility in Graniteville, S.C., and in 2000 accepted a new assignment there as Plant Manager. In 2002 Brooks was promoted to Vice President, Quality Assurance, for Bridgestone Americas, and in 2003 accepted the position of Vice President, Manufacturing. In 2008 Brooks was appointed to his most recent role as President, BAMG. Brooks holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Business.
“Steve’s strong leadership and management skills, keen business sense and process-driven management approach will lead Bridgestone Americas’ IT efforts with a clear purpose and vision,” said Garfield.
As Vice President, BAMG, Owens will be responsible for ensuring the company’s U.S., Canada and Monterrey, Mexico, tire plants continue to meet the technological changes and process improvements necessary to produce high-quality products for today’s competitive global marketplace. Owens will report directly to Eduardo Minardi, COO, BSAM, and Chairman, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Owens joined then Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. in 1989 as a Junior Engineer at the company’s Warren County, Tenn., plant. During his time with the company, Owens held the positions of Section and Division Manager of Tech Services; and Division Manager of Operations and IE, Production Control, and Engineering. In 2004, Owens accepted the assignment as Plant Manager of the company’s Oklahoma City manufacturing facility and in 2009 was promoted to Executive Director, Process Engineering Development. Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
“As Vice President, BAMG, Barry brings to the job strong technical and engineering skills and a solid background in plant management and operations. Barry’s a proven leader with a solid track record of achieving positive results,” said Minardi.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Americas and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Americas and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.