Bridgestone Americas has announced that Joe Venezia has been named president of Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO).
BSRO, a subsidiary of Bridgestone, operates the world’s largest company-owned network (2,200+ points of sale) of tire and automotive service centers nationwide under the Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works brands.
Venezia brings more than 20 years of consumer goods and retail experience to Bridgestone. He most recently served as executive vice president of global store operations at Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Prior to Toys“R”Us, Venezia was senior vice president of operations and head of stores for The Pantry, an independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S. He also has held leadership positions with Walmart, Wells Fargo Merchant Services, and Procter & Gamble.
Venezia earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as an Airborne Ranger Officer in the U.S. Army Infantry for nine years.