Bridgestone Americas has named Nizar Trigui to the new role of chief technology officer.
Trigui will expand a role currently held by Steve Charles, vice president of product development for Bridgestone Americas. Charles will now work as Bridgestone Americas’ lead representative in a joint global effort to better integrate and set strategic direction for Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology, Firestone Polymers and the guayule project, Bridgestone said.
“Nizar brings a tremendous amount of experience, leadership and vision in the areas of innovation, intellectual property development and commercialization of new products in the automotive industry,” said Gordon Knapp, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas.
Trigui has been in the automotive industry from more than 25 years and previously worked as a global technology executive who has built and transformed businesses and brands.
He joins Bridgestone from DURA Automotive, where he most recently served as chief technology officer and executive vice president, leading corporate product strategy, technology portfolio and global product development. He also served as chairman of the board for the Asia-Pacific region and general manager of the company’s electronics division joint venture.
Prior to joining DURA, Trigui worked at Ford Motor Company in the U.S. and Jaguar Land Rover in England. He earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University. He also received executive training at the Yale University School of Management and is a two-time winner of the Henry Ford Technology Award.