NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 8, 2015) – Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced that in a move to continue to strengthen its commitment to customers and consumers, the company has promoted Erik Seidel to vice president of sales, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). The company also announced that it has promoted Brad Booth to director of consumer dealer sales, BATO, and Mike Hall to director of consumer customer service, BATO.

“These three promotions are strategic moves that will strengthen our ability to service our customers and our end-user consumers,” said John Baratta, president of U.S. and Canada consumer replacement tire sales, BATO. “As a premier place to work, it’s important for Bridgestone to foster and grow the company’s best talent. Erik, Brad and Mike have demonstrated their ability to cultivate strong relationships and build trust, and their leadership will allow us to find new and innovative ways to grow our business and the businesses of our customers.”

As vice president of consumer replacement tire sales, Seidel will be responsible for consumer tire sales across the U.S. and Canada, which includes the following segments: tire dealers, national customers, purchase/resale, car dealers, Bridgestone Retail Operations, government sales and motorcycle tire division sales. Seidel joined Bridgestone as vice president of brand marketing in 2013, and has been instrumental in bolstering the Bridgestone and Firestone brands in key consumer metrics such as brand awareness, purchase consideration and purchase intent. Prior to joining Bridgestone, Seidel worked at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where he managed a number of world-class brands, including VIVA Towels, the Scott brand of paper towels and the Huggies brand of diapers and wipes. Seidel earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also earned an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a master’s degree in manufacturing management from the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, both at Northwestern University.

Brad Booth, who has been promoted to director of consumer dealer sales, will be responsible for all dealer channel sales, as well as motorcycle tire division sales. Booth has a proven track record of success during his 27 years with Bridgestone, where he has held various positions in marketing, sales and operations. In his previous role as director, consumer operations and sales programs, Booth was responsible for developing programs and strategies for U.S. and Canadian replacement tire sales. Brad earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Murray State University.

Additionally, Mike Hall, a 22-year veteran of Bridgestone, will assume the role of director of consumer customer service. In that position, he will lead a team of 35 customer service representatives that manage order entry, fulfillment and all aspects of customer deliveries. Hall began his career with Bridgestone in customer service, and after eight years in that area, he transferred to sales/demand planning. Hall then moved into consumer sales, where he held positions of increasing responsibility including area sales manager, regional marketing manager and assistant region general manager. Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ashland University.

For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.