Bridgestone Americas announced that TJ Higgins has been named consumer tire division president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations effective Monday, Nov. 3. Higgins succeeds Gordon Knapp, who became chief operating officer of Bridgestone Americas in March of this year.
Higgins brings more than 20 years of big brand consumer products marketing and strategic business experience to Bridgestone, leading product strategy and marketing for a number of recognizable brands and products, said the tiremaker. Most recently, he served as the North America regional president for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and has held leadership roles at Merck and Vlasic throughout his career.
“Our company is redefining the way we approach our business,” said Knapp. “TJ has demonstrated an ability to build quality teams, maximize product demand and create innovative ways to meet customer needs. His experience will serve us well as we continue to build a consumer tire business that’s sustainable well into the future.”
Higgins earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Lehigh University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He will relocate to Nashville, Tenn., from his current home in New Jersey.
