Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) has promoted Stephen Brooks, formerly president, of the U.S., Canada and Monterrey Manufacturing Group (BAMG), to the newly created position of chief information officer, BSAM. The company said Barrett “Barry” Owens, formerly executive director of process engineering development, will assume Brooks’ responsibilities and has been promoted to the position of vice president of manufacturing, BAMG. Both promotions are effective immediately.
In his new position, Brooks will oversee all information technology functions for the Bridgestone Americas family of companies and report directly to Gary Garfield, CEO and president of BSAM.
Brooks has held various positions since joining the company in 1989, including team leader, area manager, manager scheduling, 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 of quality assurance, and in 2003 accepted the position of vice president of manufacturing. In 2008, he was appointed to his most recent role as 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, according to Bridgestone. He will report to Eduardo Minardi, COO, BSAM, and chairman, CEO and president, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Owens joined the company in 1989 as a junior engineer at the Warren County, Tenn., plant. He has held the positions of section and division manager of tech services; division manager of operations, 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.
