Bridgestone Names New CEO for North America

Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. has chosen Mark Emkes to be its chairman and CEO, taking the position on April 1.
Emkes will succeed John Lampe, 56, who retires on March 31 after more than 30 years with the company that included defending its reputation during the Firestone tire recalls in 2000 and 2001. Lampe will remain on the Bridgestone Americas board.
Emkes, 50, has been chairman, president and CEO of the company’s Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire unit. He will retain the titles of chairman and CEO of that unit when he assumes his new responsibilities this spring.
The company says Yuji Tomiyasu, formerly Bridgestone Corp.’s director of European and Americas operations, has been named president and vice chairman of Bridgestone/Firestone, effective immediately. On April 1 Tomiyasu also will become vice chairman and president of Bridgestone Americas.